[Jack Wallace]

Both George and WCP offer an online backup facility, However I would imagine there may a few who (hypothetically) use the software to run the day to day business but when it comes to the end of year accounts the figures may be somewhat "different"

My question is.... If such a person were to use the online backup facility and were ever to be investigated by our fine and upstanding tax officials, would they have access to these records?

[Moderator David@stives]

Jack

I would advise anyone to keep legit accounts and couldnt possibly comment on doing anything illegal.

I would hope a person doing such a thing would deserve to be caught and have the full weight of the law crashing down on him. People like that dont deserve to be in this trade.

IMO people who fiddle there accounts are the type of people who are dishonest in other aspects of there lives, and i for one would never do business with a person like that.

[DaveG]

I would say the tax man can access any thing that needs investigating

[pingu]

Personally I would think that the 'Tax' can request access anything based in the UK without much fuss...

When I worked in computing places like Vanuatu were popular for those who wanted to keep things 'secret' as they were not required to keep computer logs/records and any legal issues had to be dealt within that country and behind closed doors and any issues/comment/rulings within that court were not disclosable outside that court...so if it's based in the UK..I would strongly believe that the 'tax' can view what they will in the course of their investigations.

The only way is not to record 'it' in any fashion.

Cheers
Dave.

[williamx]

If you going to fiddle the taxman you have to weigh up what you are fiddling and what will be the cost to you if you are caught.

The basis tax is only 20%, so for every £1000 you fiddle you are only profiting yourself by £200.

You have now made £200 tax free, but where are you going to hide or spend it, if the taxman does a full tax investigation they will seach all of your and your families bank accounts, they will visit your home and they will want to see receipts for all of your home furnishings and cars and holidays.

Unless you are going to kept this £200 in a box and never sprend it, then the chances are the taxman will find it, if you use it.

Now the taxman has found you have fiddled your accounts, what will they do, they are not going to just ask for what you owe back, they are going to "access" what you might have fiddled, I can assure you that this figure will be a lot more than what you have fiddled, they will then pass on fines and back interest.

So at the end of the day this £200, could cost you thousands, and if you cannot pay them they could also send you to prison, so now you can say goodbye to your business, your home, you could be made bankrupt, your chance to get a good paying job will be limited because you now have a criminal record.

[DaveG]

 

But very well put!

[Jack Wallace]

Something which a lot of people overlook is their accountancy cost in an investigation, if the taxman were to investigate, your accountant will be heavily involved and will charge you for his time, and this could also run into many hundreds of pounds.

This is one reason a small cheap accountant is perhaps not always the best option. I use a large chartered accountancy firm who have an insurance policy in place.
For about £50 a year my firm is covered for any investigation. My accountancy fees will be nil.

[leapstallbuildings]

If you can't do the time, don't commit the crime.

[leapstallbuildings]

Something which a lot of people overlook is their accountancy cost in an investigation, if the taxman were to investigate, your accountant will be heavily involved and will charge you for his time, and this could also run into many hundreds of pounds.

This is one reason a small cheap accountant is perhaps not always the best option. I use a large chartered accountancy firm who have an insurance policy in place.
For about £50 a year my firm is covered for any investigation. My accountancy fees will be nil.

In addition to this, although normal accountancy fees are tax deductible, the accountancy fees incurred during an investigation are not.  I suppose this is fair enough if wrongdoing is proven.  I do have an issue that the same rule applies even if someone is totally innocent.

[Moderator David@stives]

You have to hide the £1000 not the £200.

It is £1000 less you have told the taxman you are taking to avoid the £200 tax

[DaveG]

Youre nose will be touching the ceiling if you had to hide a grand lol

[williamx]

You have to hide the £1000 not the £200.

It is £1000 less you have told the taxman you are taking to avoid the £200 tax
[/quote

.

Dave you are correct that they would need to hide the whole sum fiddled.  What I was trying to point out, was the saving on the tax is not a great figure unless you are a Robert Maxwell when maybe it is worthwhile or not

[Frankybadboy]

i say if any of you window cleaners have been honest from day 1 of trading you are LIARS.

sorry but cant believe any of you have been totally honest.


thats my view.

[Niall McAllister]

why would you not be totally honest

[John Walker]

i say if any of you window cleaners have been honest from day 1 of trading you are LIARS.

sorry but cant believe any of you have been totally honest.


thats my view.

Sorry Franky - Don't include me in that statement.  I've shown all moneys earned in my books - I'm far too big a worrier to chance the hassle.  If you earn enough and run your business well - paying tax shouldn't be a problem no matter how much it hurts.

[Frankybadboy]

why would you not be totally honest

with all the cash we deal with.you havent put any in back pocket and not told taxman

all them extra upvc cleans which you dont put on george or wcp.

course dont forget to put in xmas tip as well

dont mean to offened anyone with statement but that i just feel.iam honest as they come

[Pole 2 Pole]

I do think Franky has a point. An honest point too. I can't imagin anyone who deals with cash every day of their life ain't pocketed a few bob in their lives. I must be the exeption to the rule though, because i never ever ever ever have done anything dodgy. EVER 

[Niall McAllister]

sorry, to spoil your outlook, but everything gets added to WCP, I plan my days work and that's all that gets done, WCP and George have a function for adding tips.
I firmly disagree with tips having to be declared as they are a gift to me, but the tax man counts them as earnings, so i put them through.

[williamx]

I also gamble online (roulette) and I declare my winnings from this as well.

[Frankybadboy]

so from the first day you  started w/c niall you been honest,BULLpoop