Signing VAT return?

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited 12:08PM in AAT member discussion
I usually get my clients to sign their VAT returns, but I am unable to get their signature in time, does anyone sign on behalf of their clients? I was under the impression that it was unadvisable, but I dont have much choice this quarter! :roll:

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Signing VAT return?

    Signing the VAT return does convey some legal responsibility on you for the accuracy of the document which is why you should be hesitant in signing them. Particularly as you may not always know the full extent of your clients affairs.

    However, when time is short and clients disappear(!) then I will reluctantly sign the return.

    Most of my clients are now set up for online filing so it no longer poses a problem.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Signing VAT return?

    Hi Dean

    Sorry to butt in here, but if you file their returns online, do you still get them to sign something, hence passing the buck :lol:

    It is one of the many things on my February list of things to do now I dont have any tax returns....

    Actually I do still have one to do, and I also seem to have masses and masses of other work, including looking for the list :?

    I would be interested to hear your views on this.

    Many thanks.

    Claudia
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Signing VAT return?

    All you can really do is complete the VAT Return in time and the onus is really on them to come and sign it.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Signing VAT return?
    claudialowe wrote:
    if you file their returns online, do you still get them to sign something, hence passing the buck

    No. Perhaps I should.

    I email them the final figures, they email me back to say it's ok to send, and it gets sent.

    I know on update courses some lecturers get a bit frantic about clients signing things. When paper P35's were no longer being issued some of them were distraught about what the client would sign! Maybe they are more used to being sued by their clients than I am!

    It's always better to be safe than sorry but, from a theoretical point of view, in what litigious situation would client approval by email be insufficient enough to leave me liable for some wrong-doing that physically signing would not?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Signing VAT return?

    Thanks for advice. I have just this once signed it!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Signing VAT return?

    Good point Dean - I dont bother to get clients to sign P35s (perhaps I should!) - so why are VAT returns any different?

    Maybe I will start with my own, and work from there....

    Claudia
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Signing VAT return?

    I do the same as Dean here, e-mail, acceptance etc.

    I have however been pondering the idea of producing a PDF "form" that has a statement saying "I accept... etc." with a check box showing their acceptance.

    Regards

    Dean

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