Tax software blunder hits Sage clients.

Accounting software giant Sage this week revealed that a ‘mix-up’ with the Inland Revenue has led to a delay in the company sending out complete tax return packages to its accountant customers.

It is understood Sage will begin to send out the completed software packages from next Monday. Those originally sent out did not include vital electronic tax return forms due to the Revenue and Sage ‘timetables’ missing each other.

Some Sage customers may not receive their complete tax software for the 2001/02 financial year until the end of the month – almost four weeks after accountants were expecting to receive them.

It is believed that the embarrassing delay in the roll-out has been caused because the Revenue has had to approve the forms before the vendor could send out its forms.

The return forms are submitted within the personal tax software sent out to its customers. Complete packages will now have to be posted out.

A Sage spokeswoman, said: ‘The delay should not hinder accountants too much as they have until the end of September to submit their returns. This mix-up shouldn’t cause any delays.’

However rival vendor Transaction Technology, said the situation was ‘unacceptable.’ Transaction chairman Ken Rozier added: ‘Accountants would view late delivery by a day or two as poor, but a one-month delay is bound to be thought of as inexcusable or unacceptable.’

Meanwhile, the Newcastle-based company has appointed Adrian Grace as UK general manager to replace Gavin May who has been moved to the position of UK business development for the Sage group in the UK.

Nobody at the Revenue was available for comment at the time of going to press.

Resellers to benefit from Sage acquisition www.accountancyage.com/IT/1120295

INSTANT ACCOUNTING PRICE INCREASES

The price of the popular Sage Instant Range have changed from 2 April 2001.

Product: Old Price/New Price

Sage Instant Accounting: #99/#149

Sage Instant Payroll: #99/#149

Sage Instant Financial Suite: #179/#249.