Accountants fees for annual filing

Mers1

Registered User
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Hi

Can anyone tell me how much I would be looking at if I were to employ an Accountant to do my tax return. I am a PAYE worker but own a rental property and would like to ensure I am getting all exemptions etc.

Many thanks
 
Fee levels differ but prices of €300-400 + VAT would not be untypical. Fees are generally tax deductible.
 
Fee levels differ but prices of €300-400 + VAT would not be untypical. Fees are generally tax deductible.
Are those '2006 fees'? - would you expect to see this reduce over the next few months?
 
Are those '2006 fees'? - would you expect to see this reduce over the next few months?

As I say, prices differ between firms. It may be possible to get the job done cheaper, on the other hand shopping on price alone is not a great idea. Most firms are run off their feet in the busy Sept-Nov period and increasing numbers of firms hike their fees during this period to reflect this.
 
How does one actually shop around for an accountant? I remember when I first started looking, one pretty much told me he had no interest in taking filing my return if I was worried about how much he'd charge. In the end I went for a big firm, and they're now starting to get expensive.
 
Some charge hourly rates, and some (like me) offer a fixed fee, set in advance.

If they are charging hourly rates, it can often be difficult to get a a quote, as otherwise you will just get an estimate, which may not be accurate.

It can be difficult to shop around because of this.
 
I'd second Domo. Most firms give a fixed price for something like this as there are usually few surprises that can't be sorted out quickly.
 
I was self employed and used the service of an accountant, this was deductable against tax. But I have been on PAYE for the last few years because things were complicated.
The accountant tells me that I cannot write their fees against tax now that I am on PAYE.
 
I was self employed and used the service of an accountant, this was deductable against tax. But I have been on PAYE for the last few years because things were complicated.
The accountant tells me that I cannot write their fees against tax now that I am on PAYE.

If you are only PAYE not sure why you have an accountant doing your Return.

If you have rental income then the accounts fee is a rental expense. Though it can't be set against dividend income or deposit interest for example
 
My last bill was 500euro including VAT. This meant processing 3/4 invoices as the rest were PAYE, and some minor expenses (1 being my previous years fees). I'm sure some would argue I'm getting value for money, and the fact I've gotten money back has convinced me I'd be mad to file the return myself, but it is still a lot of money to pay out, and I've been told that fee will go up this year.

Any suggestions on where I could look to find another accountant, and for fear of getting the head bitten off me again (like my last encounter with a perspective accountant), what's the best way to ask for a fixed quote?
 
Hi Wheels. Firstly why not PM Ubiquitous & Graham 07 to give you a quote, as they offer alot of great free advice and know their stuff and Im sure wouldnt say know to the chance of some work.

Other than that its ask family and friends for recommendations, also make sure that you ask the person who you decide to get to do the work are they a qualified accountant as they would have insurance etc.
 
Can confirm that €500 was the going rate for a Tax Return last year. (was there filing period 2008) No longer work there so dont know if the fees have gone down. This was in a tax department of a medium size Accountancy practice.

Can say some people should have been double charged because they were a nightmare, submitting stuff late, losing papers, staff were constantly having to chase them.
 
Reply to Ham Slicer. I was self employed and changed to PAYE mid year plus I had Capital Gains. Tax can be a nightmare for Engineers, Manual workers etc. which is not appreciated by others including the tax office. The accountant always seemed to be able to claim enough back to cover their fees, a couple of years ago I had approx.€2,000 refund. I wonder does the tax office overtax and wait for a claim?
I always kept detailed records on a spreadsheet for the accountant, annual charge was €300
 
I have a limited company I am the only one working in it. I have been using an accountant who has just given me a head ache with the litany of errors and mistakes, plus I am paying him €1560 a year.

My question is do i need an accountant to do the accounts for a limited company or can I submit the accounts myself?
 
I have a limited company I am the only one working in it. I have been using an accountant who has just given me a head ache with the litany of errors and mistakes, plus I am paying him €1560 a year.

My question is do i need an accountant to do the accounts for a limited company or can I submit the accounts myself?

You already asked this in another thread, and it has been answered there.
 
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