no tax returns for 3 years

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2 sole traders set up a company ,accountant does returns for company returns,,,just found out he didnt do our personal tax returns for last 3years....have been ringing his office trying to arrange a meeting to sort out mess,,,he has all necessary paperwork so couldnt have any excuses on that one...also a VAT payment was ignored by him also phone calls from sheriff were ignored by him resulting in the sheriff calling to us and demanding payment + his fees be paid within 2 days or he would be taking private property to the value needed.VAT was 2300 +700 sheriff fees...what can we do to rectify above problems.. SOLICITOR ????

Past30Now

Hi,

I'm sorry for your difficulties, but the acountant may not be solely to blame. For starters it looks like you engaged him to look after your company, personal tax returns are a separate matter. Also, did he have all the required information. If he was looking after the company he would have had your earnings from the company but did you give him details of other income, medical expenses etc.

One of the partners in the office I work recently spoke about going after the low hanging fruit. Clients that pay on time, submit information clearly and concisely and on time, who have interest in their affairs, we will give our best attention to. Clients who argue over every line of the bill, always submit information in a piecemeal fashion, have to be chased for every bit of paper, generally only care about their compliance when the sheriff is at the door, will be looked after as best as possible, but will come in second place to the first group of clients.

Alternatively it is the accountants fault. If he clearly agreed to submit income tax returns on your behalf, has been given all the requested and required documentation, and has just not bothered his *** to fill in the forms, then at the very least remove all existing business from him. Discuss with him which institute you should report him to and this should ensure you at least get some formal communication from him in order to attempt to put your affairs in order.

Good luck

Past30

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thanks for the reply,he was engaged to do both company and personal a/cs. maybe we took it for granted he was doing it correctly..he had all paperwork he requested on his desk on time..his response to any queries was very negative thinking back on it now.ringing his office was like trying to get the president on the phone..usually a week later

ybbi

First thing you should check is the engagement letter you would have signed when you first came in the door, check that and if it says he/she was engaged to do personal tax returns, then you should be getting him/her to do the work or another accountant asap, really then they are liable too for the sheriff fees and should pay them if its their fault.

Engagement Letter = Terms & Conditions, aka small print ( Should always be read).

Mr. Incognito

Agree with the above- check the terms of the engagement letter.

Pretty sloppy if he's contracted for personal tax returns and didn't do them.