How to get receipts to your accountant during the COVID-19 pandemic

However, with social distancing a major factor, they will want to avoid having to physically give their records to their accountant or just wish to go paperless and use a more efficient way to deliver their paperwork.

We look at some of the solutions that you could adopt to share your documents with your accountant: 

Dext

At TaxAssist Accountants many of our clients are already using a document scanning software called Dext to digitally capture their documents to share with their accountant.

One of the reasons why it has proved popular is that it is easy to use – you just take pictures of your receipts with your smartphone using the Dext mobile app. It not only keeps the photo of your receipt, but it will also capture key bits information such as the amounts, VAT and other details. It will then organise them all so that your accountant can easily pull your accounts together, which means they have more time to help you grow your business.

Your accountant will then log in to your account, view your receipts and use them to prepare your accounts and tax returns. 

Secure Online Portal 

A secure online portal lets you upload files and pictures/scanned copies of your receipts into a secure online folder. With your authorisation, your accountant can then access this folder to view and download your documents or you can simply transfer the documents to your accountant. 

Why use technology?

By adopting technology and getting your receipts to your accountant sooner, your accountant can help you understand and grow your business more by providing closer to real-time information about your business’ finances. With all the additional Government support being made available in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, it is important to understand where your business is and if there are any challenging times ahead. Your accountant can help with this if they have access to your latest financial data. The sooner you can send your accountant your receipts, the more time you will have to discuss about what grants or other financial support you can claim for.

Royal Mail

Staff at Royal Mail have continued to work hard during the COVID-19 pandemic so you can still collect and pack your receipts up and post them to your accountant. However, if you do choose this option please be aware that there may be some delay meaning that using an online software package could be your best bet going forward.

In person

Finally, if you have amassed so much paperwork that posting it would prove too costly, you may want to drop them off to your accountant’s office. To do this and comply with social distancing measures, you should arrange a mutually convenient date and time in advance by email or telephone. 

Want to go digital? Get in touch today

At TaxAssist Accountants we have partnered with a number of leading software providers, so if you would like to know more about going paperless, please contact us on 0161 989 6800 or use our online enquiry form.

Date published 17 Jul 2020 | Last updated 11 Mar 2021

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.