Autumn 2009 Newsletter Contents Tin Hats Required Trust In Money Beat The Hike Expenses A - Z On The Job Training Pay In Lieu Pension Pot Opportunity Knocks ISAy ISAy ISAy Fair Exchange? Scrappage The Value Of IR35 Loss And Profit End Of The Holidays Da Vinci Or PAYE? Last Orders Foreign Peril Quadruple Entry It's A Date All Change Good Health! O Lucky Man! Be Prepared An Inspector Calls SA Or Not SA? Now You're Asking I Only Work Here You Want It When? Dirty Laundry? No Smoke Without Fire Corporate Manslaughter

O Lucky Man! A trader was away on a business trip when he realised he hadn't sent his VAT return in. He rang Directory Enquiries to get the number for the VAT Advice Line, and was put through to someone who told him to relax - they never processed the returns that quickly anyway. He was reassured by this surprisingly laid-back attitude and duly sent the return in when he got back from the trip. The trouble was that he had been put through to the Isle of Man authorities rather than the UK number - they are obviously more understanding over there, because HMRC hit the trader with a default surcharge. The Tribunal thought his story was enough to constitute a "reasonable excuse" and let him off - and suggested that HMRC have a word with Directory Enquiries. If you have a genuine excuse for a late VAT return, the Tribunal is often sympathetic - but it's better to make it so much of a priority that you always get it in on time.