PREPARING YOUR ENQUIRY
What should we understand first?
- VAT registration and reporting period
- Sales, purchases and relevant supporting records
- Prior returns, adjustments or unresolved queries
Tax & compliance
VAT return preparation and filing support
Prepare for your VAT return with the reporting period, available records and review responsibilities clearly identified.
AGREEING THE SCOPE
What your quote should clarify.
- Period-specific scope and document request
- Return preparation and customer review process
- Submission support and confirmation as agreed
Start with the assigned reporting period
Provide the VAT registration details, return period and any outstanding correspondence. VAT filing work should follow the period assigned to your business, rather than an assumed schedule. Flag missing prior returns or adjustments at the start so they can be scoped separately where needed.
Organise sales and purchase records
The preparation may involve sales and purchase invoices, credit notes, import and export records, reconciliations and prior returns. The exact checklist depends on the business. Complete records help the preparer identify questions; they do not remove the need to review how transactions should be treated.
Agree review, submission and payment responsibilities
Confirm who prepares the return, who approves the figures and what evidence of submission will be provided. Ask whether corrections or historical periods are included. A filing support fee should be distinguished from any tax payable, and payment arrangements should be confirmed against the actual obligation.
Questions customers ask
Can you file without complete records?
Explain what is missing. The specialist must assess the gaps and any additional work before confirming scope and timing.
Does the quote include tax due?
Do not assume so. The professional service fee and any tax payable are separate items unless expressly stated.
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LET’S DEFINE THE RIGHT SCOPE