Terms and Conditions : Advance Returns Limited
1. Introduction
These Terms and Conditions outline the basis on which Advance Returns Limited ("we," "us," "our") provides services to you. They also establish the respective responsibilities and obligations of both parties. By engaging with our services, you agree to these terms in full.
2 .Scope of Services
2.1 Self-Assessment Tax Return Services
We will prepare the necessary documentation for the preparation and submission of your self-assessment tax return on your behalf.
2.2 Upfront Tax Refund Service
Where eligible, we may offer an advance payment on your anticipated tax refund ("Upfront Refund"), amounting to 50% of the expected refund from HMRC, minus our fees, with a maximum cap of £1,000.
3. Our Responsibilities
We will conduct a series of checks to verify eligibility for the Upfront Refund. These checks may include, but are not limited to, confirming our approval as your current tax agent, ensuring an agreed fee structure, reviewing any outstanding fees owed to us, and receiving HMRC approval of the submitted tax return.
We reserve the right to decline processing an Upfront Refund if we determine that the information provided is inaccurate or may lead to HMRC withholding or reducing the refund.
We will handle all enquiries related to your self-assessment tax return and tax refund.
4. Your Responsibilities
You must fully disclose all relevant financial information before, during, and after the submission of your self-assessment tax return, including but not limited to:
You are solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of all information provided. Any false, misleading, or inaccurate submissions to HMRC may result in liabilities for which you will be responsible.
You agree to repay any Upfront Refund issued to you, along with our fees and any associated costs, interest, or penalties, if we determine repayment is necessary.
5. Fees
Our fees for self-assessment tax return and Upfront Refund services are calculated as the greater of:
6. Data Protection
We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018 when processing your personal data. We may obtain, process, use, retain, and disclose your personal data for the purposes of service provision, compliance, record-keeping, audits, and legal or regulatory obligations.
Your consent is not required for data processing where:
A full list of our data retention obligations is available upon request.
7. Electronic Communications
We may communicate with you and third parties via email or other electronic means unless instructed otherwise. Whilst we use virus-scanning software, we cannot guarantee electronic security and accept no liability for any losses arising from email security breaches, viruses, delays, or miscommunications.
If you would prefer to receive communications via post, please notify us accordingly.
8. Intellectual Property
All documents produced by us in the course of our work remain our intellectual property unless otherwise agreed by law.
9. Investment Advice
We do not provide investment or insurance advice. If, during the course of our professional services, you require such advice, we may refer you to an appropriately authorised firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or a Designated Professional Body.
10. Lien (Right to Retain Documents and Funds)
Where permitted by law or professional regulations, we reserve the right to retain all funds, documents, and records in our possession relating to any engagement with you until all outstanding fees and disbursements have been settled in full.
11. Limitation of Third-Party Rights
Our advice and services are provided solely for your use and benefit. Unless expressly agreed, no third party shall have any rights or claims against us in relation to the advice, information, or materials we provide. We accept no responsibility or liability to third parties, including affiliated companies, to whom you may share our advice or documentation. This agreement does not grant any third-party rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
12. Agreement of Terms for Previous Tax Years
Any work related to tax periods prior to the most recently completed tax year (as of the date these terms are issued) will require assessment and a separate quotation before proceeding.
These terms supersede all previous terms and conditions and will remain in effect until replaced. Either party may request a variation or termination of this agreement by providing written notice.
13. Other Services
The services we provide are limited to those outlined in these terms.
If you require additional services beyond those stated, please inform us. We will discuss whether they can be incorporated into our scope of work. Any agreed-upon additional services will be confirmed through new or amended terms and conditions.
14. Limitation of Liability
We will exercise reasonable care and skill in our services. Our liability is limited to losses, damages, costs, and expenses directly caused by our negligence or wilful default. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for:
You agree not to hold our directors, employees, or partners personally liable for any loss arising from misrepresentation (intentional or unintentional) in connection with this agreement.
Unless legally required, our work is not intended for third-party use, and we accept no liability to third parties unless explicitly agreed in writing.
15. Communication
We will communicate with you and relevant statutory bodies regarding your affairs. Disclosure of information to third parties requires your prior consent.
16. Applicable Law & Jurisdiction
Our services and terms are governed by English law. Any disputes arising from this agreement will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England. Each party waives any objection to proceedings being brought in these courts.
17. Client Identification & Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
As required by UK anti-money laundering legislation, we are required to verify client identities for anti-money laundering compliance. We may request and retain relevant identification documents and conduct necessary searches.
18. Complaints
We are committed to providing you with a high-quality, efficient service. If you are dissatisfied with our service, please contact our Managing Director. We will investigate and aim to resolve the issue promptly. If the complaint involves a regulated accountant, you may refer it to their appropriate professional body.
19. Confidentiality
All communications between us are confidential except where disclosure is required by law, regulatory bodies, insurers, or as part of a professional review.
We may subcontract work to tax or accounting professionals, who will be bound by the same confidentiality obligations.
We reserve the right to reference you as a client for promotional, training, or business purposes, without disclosing confidential details.
20. Conflicts of Interest
If a conflict of interest arises, we will inform you unless confidentiality obligations prevent us from doing so. We will take appropriate steps to safeguard your interests. If a conflict cannot be managed effectively, we may be unable to continue providing services.
21. Engagement Period & Termination
Our engagement begins upon your implicit or explicit acceptance of these terms and conditions. Unless otherwise specified, we are not responsible for any work relating to periods before your acceptance of these terms.
If our engagement is terminated, we will, subject to the payment of any outstanding fees, agree on the completion of any work in progress unless legal or regulatory obligations require us to cease work immediately. In such cases, we accept no liability for any consequences arising from termination.
We reserve the right to terminate our services at any time without prior notice.
22. Reliance on Advice
We will endeavour to document all significant advice in writing. Verbal advice should not be relied upon unless confirmed in writing. If you require confirmation of verbal discussions, please request written confirmation.
23. Retention of Documents
You are legally required to retain documents relevant to your financial affairs. During our engagement, we may collect and store such records. We will return original documents upon request.
Tax-related records must be retained for six years from the end of the accounting period.
We may securely dispose of electronic or physical records in accordance with GDPR regulations, except where they are deemed to be of continuing significance.
24. Professional Indemnity Insurance (Provision of Services Regulations 2009)
Details of our professional indemnity insurer are available upon request. Coverage extends worldwide, excluding professional work conducted in the United States or Canada, and any claims brought in courts within those jurisdictions.