taxback.com- accuracy of estimates

rawn

Hi guys. Used taxback.com on the off-chance i might be owed something from last year, working in Ireland. I'm just wondering of people that have used it, has the taxback.com official estimate usually the same/close to the actual figure received? Their last email stated they now have all relevant forms from me, along with an estimate and a time-frame of 2-6 weeks. The estimate they gave me seems quite high tbh and i don't want to get my hopes up

toadfly

I don't know OP but why pay them commission when it's simple to do it yourself through revenue? You can also claim 20% on some medical expenses.

rawn

Not so simple when i know nothing about tax and don't have the time/patience to figure it out. I am happy to pay the commission.

toadfly

You dont need to know anything about tax. Log onto PAYE anytime, make sure all your income is in for last year and request a P21 balancing statement.

On a side note, income tax really needs to be taught in schools.

Geuze

toadfly wrote: »

On a side note, income tax really needs to be taught in schools.

It is.

Tax credits and the SRCOP are part of JC maths.

Geuze

rawn wrote: »

Not so simple when i know nothing about tax and don't have the time/patience to figure it out. I am happy to pay the commission.

It should take approx 30 mins to work out how the PAYE system works.

Don't pay money to do something so simple.

rawn

Guys i appreciate the advice but I'm not asking how to do my taxes! I've already used the service and was happy to pay for it I'm just wondering about the accuracy of the estimates from people who have used taxback.com too.

rawn

I never learned it in school, i did my JC in 2003, higher maths for 2 years, ordinary for the actual JC. It would have been great it we were taught it but apparently Pythagorus's Theorum was more important 

Valentina

If you've sent in details of all employments, social welfare etc for 2015 and they've calculated it out for you then they usually get it right.

However, they don't take into consideration any previous underpayments which may reduce any refund due.

relax carry on

rawn wrote: »

I never learned it in school, i did my JC in 2003, higher maths for 2 years, ordinary for the actual JC. It would have been great it we were taught it but apparently Pythagorus's Theorum was more important 

The quote should be accurate enough as all they do pretty much is exactly what you could have done yourself online for free. They have client access to the same system you have access to.
Unless you were a complex case involving issues like residence, exclusion orders etc, all they did was either press a button and request a P21 and/or input figures for a health expenses claim etc.
The vast bulk of tax reviews for PAYE individuals can be done by themselves if they have the ability to turn a computer on and watch a 5 minute video which tells you what to do on the PAYE Anytime system.

For reference, most refunds occur from you claiming an additional tax relief/credit, or by you being taxed at the emergency rate by your employer for some reason.

thesimpsons

rawn wrote: »

I never learned it in school, i did my JC in 2003, higher maths for 2 years, ordinary for the actual JC. It would have been great it we were taught it but apparently Pythagorus's Theorum was more important 

definitely helped at least one of my kids with this in secondary school - might have been in maths or business but it was done at Jnr Cert level. however, like lots of stuff taught in school, you only appreciate it when you need it. who really remembers things like photosynthesis or pythagorus until they need it in real life situ.