[kordun]

I have been given job of patio cleaning and sealing on £15 milion house. They asked me now to provide them with my insurance i tax reference. What is tax reference, what document?

[Rob_Mac]

Are they talking about your VAT reg number, if you don't earn around 68 thousand you don't need one, because your UTR (Unique Tax reference) is nothing to do with them.

Cannot think it would be anything else.

Rob

[Rob_Mac]

Give them a copy of your Public Liability cover and ask them if they require anything else!

Rob

[kordun]

Not sure what is tax reference? I’ve just emailed them and asked what exactly they need from me

[BDCS]

I've been asked for the UTR so they can stop you the CIS 20% tax which I don't have a problem with because its tax paid in but some don't like it. Building firms are the usual ones to want this and you can argue the point but I just give them the details with the invoice which has all the BACS and payment details

[Rob_Mac]

I don't like it and have recently done some work for Bowmer & Kirkland. You really don't need to pay it. External cleaning is exempt unless it is under a canopy!!!

I double checked and told them and they were happy with that. We have had this chat before on here, I know BDCS doesn't mind but I feels it is just a case of educating the client, whoever they are!!!

Rob

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

I supplied and fitted some carpet tiles last year for Balfour Beatty's offices in Basingstoke and they demanded my UTR before they would pay me.

Both myself and my accountant agreed that my UTR was none of their business, however they were adamant.

So I relented and supplied them with it, got paid and no deductions. I could have stuck to my guns but this only came to light after I had done the work and submitted the invoice, so ultimately I just wanted what I was owed.

Steve

[Rob_Mac]

I agree with you Steve but external cleaning is not even in the grey area. If anyone speaks to the tax office they will tell you it is exempt!!!

Rob

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Rob

It wasn't even the possibility of deductions that got my back up, I can get round that - it was asking for the UTR. Never been asked for this in 18 years of business !


Steve

[Rob_Mac]

If I got myself in that situation I know I would ask the tax office to confirm whether or not I needed to give it, (Iwould give it to keep the client quiet) and then I would ask the tax office to write me an exemption letter, pass this to the client and ask for the retention back!

It doesn't half make life hard swimming against the tide!!!!

Rob

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

You're telling me !

How's business Rob ? You still driving all round the country ?




Steve

[Rob_Mac]

I am

Off to Banbury in an hour. Had a bit of a quiet time since the end of March but I don't expect to be quiet now till Christmas. Busy trying to move back into residential works at the moment, with window cleaning & drain jetting and then I can decide what i will do with the commercial side of it all.

Seem to have created a bit of a monster that I cannot outsource competitively and I need to make sure the works are in the right hands. I was hoping that it would be being looked after by now, with overview from me but the best made plans and all that, sure it will come good!!! - please

I bought a CFR off Andy Briscoe (couple of years ago) and am having a new pump fitted at the moment to push that forward.

I watched your recent activity quietly on the CLEAN association. Much respect Steve. Something worth doing is is always going to be something that will demand a great deal and as you know when you put your head over the parapet there will always be those that will want to shoot at it, before they even realise your intention!!

Keep at it. All the best, got to go.

Rob

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Thanks for the compliment Rob, the cynicism and hassle goes with the territory.

Have fun in Banbury, next time you're Surrey way give me a buzz and we can meet up for a coffee and a chin wag - my mobile is on the website. Perhaps we can do something together if you're snowed under.

Steve

[Adam P]

any risks when giving the utr? what's the problem giving it to the customer regardless of it being none of their business or not? serious question

[kordun]

Its all sorted now. They just want insurance