Proof of sale of shares

[Wallywobbles]

Hope this is the right place to ask.

I have shares in a family company. I sold some in 2014. I am being asked by the tax office in France to provide proof of sale. The company accountant says their records only go back to 2015. Is there any other way I can get proof of sale?

Thanks.

In the U.K. HMRC will usually accept share purchase agreements, emails or letters discussing or confirming the sale and at a last resort a bank statement showing the amount you received. In the U.K. Annual Returns should show any transfers etc of shares - is it a French or a U.K. company? Hope this helps.

It's à uk company but it's the French tax authority that are asking for proof that the money was from the sale of shares. The accountant has provided me with an excel table but the tax authorities here have already said it's not acceptable as proof. (Which is fair enough frankly).

Have you checked the company's annual returns on Companies House? If it's a huge company or a tiny family company sometimes they don't update them though

Although that usually won't show the disposal proceeds - they're usually private so would have to be evidence from your or their accountant I guess but you've already said the co don't keep records beyond 2015

The company accountant should have records dating back for six years, I'd be very concerned if they only have records for the last two years - can you challenge them on this? All share sales should be in the stat books and records.

www.gov.uk/running-a-limited-company/company-and-accounting-records

It's a limited company. It's family owned but not small. I think the principal problem is that the CFO has just retired and I don't know how long the new guy has been there. I don't know if he's new or been promoted. I've only dealt with their (the CFOs) secretary, on this particular matter, who could physically find anything.

I've asked my siblings who purchased my shares to scan their corresponding share certificates to me. Do you think this will be enough?

I'd ask the secretary to refer the matter direct to the CFO or Company Secretary - if they're a limited company, they will have the information somewhere, doesn't matter that the CFO is new as the information should be stored with the company, not the person