Well done @PhilHallAAT

reader
reader Registered Posts: 1,037 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
Well done @PhilHallAAT for spotting WHSmith selling a DIY tax guide around half a decade old and for £25. What a rip off!

Someone at AAT get this man a payrise!!! It will be members' fees well spent.

You should definitely be featured in the next AAT magazine. It is great to see AAT hitting the headlines for all the right reasons. I'm proud to be AAT! You even gave a shout out to AAT licensed members!

What a legend!

Full story on the Accounting Web website. Hopefully AAT interiew Phil and do their own story as well.

Comments

  • mergen
    mergen Registered Posts: 112 New contributor 🐸
    Link or it didn't happen :)
  • PhilHallAAT
    PhilHallAAT Registered, Moderator Posts: 80 mod
    edited August 2019
    Thanks for your kind comments.

    AAT were pleased that by drawing attention to this, WH Smith agreed to remove the offending item from sale in its stores and online within 24 hours.

    It was outrageous that a national high street retailer was providing tax advice that was five years out of date. This could result in all sorts of problems for taxpayers, including fines from HMRC. As I told the media, anyone seeking advice about their tax return should contact a qualified professional, such as an AAT licensed accountant.

    Daily Telegraph:
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tax/news/wh-smith-sells-25-tax-return-guide-five-years-date/

    Accountancy Daily:
    https://www.accountancydaily.co/warning-out-date-self-help-tax-guides

    MoneySaving Expert:
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/08/whsmith-apologises-after-selling-five-year-old-tax-advice-book/

    Accounting Web:
    https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tax/personal-tax/smiths-slammed-for-selling-out-of-date-self-assessment-guide
  • reader
    reader Registered Posts: 1,037 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
    Wow! Telegraph! Great news! Hopefully you are in line for a hefty bonus for all your efforts.
  • mergen
    mergen Registered Posts: 112 New contributor 🐸
    WOW! so my comment that it's a publicity stunt has been deleted. Interesting, very interesting AAT! Seems like I am not allowed to voice my opinion.
    There is nothing wrong with WH Smith selling tax advice booklet that is five years old. What if I or someone else wants to go back five years and make amendments. Also on the booklet it clearly states dates. If someone can't read then it's their own fault.
  • MrColeman
    MrColeman Registered Posts: 8
    Mergen,

    Firstly, you implied “reader” was being dishonest because he didn’t provide a link.

    When a link was provided you then call this a publicity stunt and say there’s nothing wrong with selling tax advice that’s five years out of date.

    If there’s nothing wrong with it then why did WHSmith remove it from sale within 24 hours of AAT asking?
    If you honestly think it’s OK to give out of date tax advice I think you might benefit from taking the AAT professional ethics course - https://www.aat.org.uk/about-aat/professional-ethics

    The publicity in national newspapers is great for AAT and its members – getting our brand out there and raising awareness of AAT licensed members and at the same time making clear that this type of behaviour isn’t acceptable. Win-win.

    You’ve got to be a very cynical and negative individual to criticise something as good as this.
  • mergen
    mergen Registered Posts: 112 New contributor 🐸
    MrColeman,

    "link or it didn't happen" is a joke/sarcasm, which you obviously didn't get. It's ok it happens.

    I have nothing against AAT and also want it to be more recognised. But I see this as publicity stunt, going about it the wrong way. Example: a sole trader, who is honest decided to go back/check back 5 years, because he/she remembered or found that they under valued their tax returns.

    Again there is nothing wrong with what WHSmith was selling. You need to ask them why they removed it. Most companies and corporations fold under slight pressure, instead of standing up and believing in what they do. The booklet clearly stated the dates.

    I am not even going to comment on ethics and my character, as I do not know you and you do not know me.
  • AAT_Team
    AAT_Team Administrator Posts: 502 🤖 Admin 🤖
    @MrColeman @mergen OK let's leave it there guys. No harm intended on either front I'm sure. <3
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