HMRC Self assessment for elderly parents - complete on their behalf?

[OloOloOlo]

Here for traffic and accountants

Is it possible for me to complete their self assessments on their behalf so we save on accountant's fees? They are relatively straight forward with interest , pension and rental income. I thought i could register as a trusted help but not sure that gives access to SAs....being a "tax agent" looks much more involved / complicated?

Have you got Power of Attorney?

Hi i have no Power of attorney....i am not sure they have made a will which is another thing i better check in with them.

Power of attorney takes about 3 months to put in place

You could do it then get them to check and submit it with you?

Honestly get PoA now, before you absolutely need it.
We had to get it for my Grandad in a rush, and it added to an already stressful time, when he was poorly. Now we have it for parents, and another relative with learning disabilities (and my sister has it for me, which will only kick in if needed.)
It's a massive peace of mind.

I can't comment on the Tax issues, but would encourage you to sort out the PoA.

Currently they are saying 20 weeks on their website. Get it doen ASAP Medical as well as financial.

Being a tax agent is much more involved. My accountant is my tax agent.
I see three choices:

1. Help them do the Self-Assessment themselves i.e. you actually do the tax return but with their knowledge and with them sat next to you.
2. Get PoA which will take months and delay doing the tax returns until this is in place. Good idea to get the PoA sorted anyway.
3. Pay an accountant/tax adviser. Seen some advertising online doing tax returns for £99. My accountant did a one-off return for my father once for £75 but that was years ago so it'll be more now.

I'd encourage you to work with them to set up an account online which you can in future manage on their behalf.

And apply for POA while you are at it, it may come in handy. Our family solicitor advised us to diy, it was indeed straightforward, so long as they can find a friend to provide the certificate that they are of sound mind.

Good luck, you are doing a good thing for them.

Set up an online account for each of them, complete on line - show them the calculation, they can even press the 'submit'!

I echo previous poster and suggest a POA now.

I do my brothers. We discuss it, he sends me all his info. I log in and submit it. Why would it be any different to a wife doing her husbands, or visa-versa?

@Oblomov23 Hi, you log in as your brother? I believe a code is sent to a mobile when you log in so is that sent to you or your brother?

My DH always did mine. If I got a code he just came and got it from me. I was always in the house when he did it so I could answer any questions.

Yes. He gives me the code over the phone, or is sat next to me. And?

I have registered my mum to do it online. I'll fill it in but with her nearby. It's much easier because it calculates the liability plus you have until end Jan to submit

And get them to make a will and get POA asap!

Sorry, the complexity is that I am in another city from them. However just sounds like I need to contact them when I need to log in as them. Just wondered if there was another easy way to do it on their behalf

You can set up their gov gateway accounts and add your phone number as well as theirs, when you need a code you can choose your phone number to login.
You'll need to set up a blank one and then add SA to it, an authorisation code will be posted to their address, you only need that code once and then the account is set up.
When you log in next it will text a code to the phone number you choose.