Can a Bedford Accountant Help Me if I’ve Fallen Behind on My Tax Returns?

Falling behind on your tax returns does not make you a bad business owner. We see it every month. Some people miss a deadline because of illness or family issues. Others fall behind because their previous accountant never explained what was due or did not chase them properly. A few try to handle everything alone then realise too late that the paperwork is overwhelming.

The worst thing you can do is ignore it. The moment you reach out to an accountant the problem becomes manageable. We have rebuilt years of missing paperwork for clients, corrected past returns and negotiated with HMRC on their behalf. There is always a solution as long as you deal with it early.

What happens when you fall behind on tax returns

When you miss a Self Assessment deadline HMRC begins adding penalties based on time. These increase the longer the return remains outstanding. Penalties can apply even if you owe no tax. If tax is owed HMRC adds interest daily until the balance is cleared.

Limited companies face similar consequences. Missing a corporation tax return or annual accounts deadline triggers Companies House penalties and HMRC interest charges. If several returns are late the penalties can stack up quickly.

Falling behind also affects your ability to access mortgages, loans or credit because lenders almost always require copies of recent tax returns or accounts.

The key point is that the situation is recoverable. We have never seen a case that could not be fixed once the client provided the information needed.

How a Bedford accountant helps fix overdue tax returns

When someone comes to us with late returns we follow a step by step process that removes all stress from the client. We handle everything. The process usually looks like this.

Step 1: We gather everything you already have

We ask for whatever records you can supply. This can include:

• Bank statements
• Invoices
• Receipts
• Pay slips
• Rental statements
• Accounting software access

Some clients think they need everything perfectly organised before calling us but that is not true. Give us whatever you have and we organise it for you.

Step 2: We rebuild your accounts or income summary

Once we have the raw information we reconstruct the tax year accurately. This may include:

• Rebuilding bookkeeping
• Recalculating income and expenses
• Reconciling bank activity
• Checking CIS deductions
• Reviewing PAYE income
• Reviewing rental income

This gives a clear picture of what should have been declared.

Step 3: We file all missing returns

Once the figures are correct we submit every outstanding return to HMRC. Clients often panic about this step but it is far easier when all the data is clean. Once filed HMRC updates your record and removes the risk of further penalties.

Step 4: We check penalties and appeal where possible

Penalties can sometimes be reduced or removed if:

• You had a reasonable excuse
• HMRC applied charges incorrectly
• Your accountant can demonstrate genuine mitigating circumstances

We have successfully appealed penalties for clients when the evidence is strong. Not every case is successful but it is always worth exploring.

Step 5: We set up a plan for future deadlines

Once everything is brought up to date we make sure it never happens again. That may involve setting up:

• Monthly bookkeeping
• Quarterly reviews
• Automated reminders
• A clear list of what you must send us and when

Clients often tell us that once they understand their deadlines everything becomes less stressful.

Real example from Bedford

When we first took on a landlord in Great Denham they were two years behind on their Self Assessment returns. They had no personal or health reasons why they were late filing, I guess life just got in the way. HMRC had already added penalties and interest. The client was panicking because mortgage lenders were asking for up to date returns which they could not provide.

We collected the rental statements, rebuilt two years of rental accounts, corrected interest claims and filed both returns within a week. We did not appeal the penalties. Within ten days the client had clean tax records and the lender approved their mortgage.

The most common reasons people fall behind

From experience the reasons are usually simple:

• Their accountant stopped responding
• A personal event disrupted everything
• They believed they had no tax to pay so the return did not matter
• They tried to manage it alone and fell behind
• They genuinely did not understand the rules

Whatever the reason there is no judgement. It happens far more often than people admit.

What you should do right now if you are behind

If you are even one tax return behind the best thing you can do is speak to an accountant immediately. The earlier we get involved the easier it is to fix. You do not need everything organised. You do not need to know exact amounts. You just need to start.

We can guide you step by step and structure everything so you comply with HMRC without stress.

The Bottom Line for Bedford Taxpayers

Yes a Bedford accountant can absolutely help if you have fallen behind on your tax returns. No matter how messy the situation feels it is always fixable once you take the first step. With the right support your returns can be rebuilt, penalties can be challenged and your tax record can be restored quickly and calmly.