Letter to Accountant: Request My Tax Return and Records

Editable letter template for requesting your tax return + supporting records from your current or former accountant. Common scenarios: changing accountants; preparing for HMRC enquiry; transferring records when moving abroad; obtaining records after relationship breakdown with adviser; preparing a self-prepared return without prior accountant access. Available as DOCX (editable), PDF (print or offline), or copyable text on-page. No signup, no email, direct download.

Last reviewed: 23 May 2026

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Download DOCX (editable)(~30KB)Download PDF (printable / offline)(~110KB)

What it contains

DOCX template + PDF version + on-page copyable text. Fillable fields cover: your name + business name + UTR + accountant's name + accountant's firm + the specific tax years + the specific records being requested. Standard professional courtesy framing, assumes a non-contentious request. The template includes a polite but firm cited reference to the relevant professional body's PCRT requirement for record transfer. For genuinely contentious accountant disputes (unpaid fees, alleged negligence, lost records), this template is a STARTING POINT. Escalation may require a formal letter from your replacement adviser, an ICAEW or ATT or CIOT professional complaint, or legal action. The template handles the common case where you simply need your records back to move forward.

How to use it

Identify what records you actually need

Before writing, list the specific records you want: (1) Tax returns filed on your behalf (Self Assessment SA100/SA800/SA900, Corporation Tax CT600, VAT returns, P11D, etc.) + supporting computations; (2) Underlying accounting records (trial balance, profit + loss, balance sheet) per accounting period; (3) Receipts, invoices, bank statements provided to the accountant + retained by them; (4) Correspondence with HMRC handled on your behalf; (5) Engagement letter + record of fees billed. The more specific the request, the more useful the response.

Customise the template + send

Open the DOCX, replace bracketed fields with your details. Send via the accountant's professional email address OR by registered post (gives proof of delivery if the relationship is contentious). Keep a copy + any read-receipt or postal-receipt evidence. Most accountants respond within 7 to 14 days to a non-contentious request. If no response within 21 days, send a follow-up referencing the original date + PCRT obligations.

Format you can expect to receive

Reasonable formats include: secure file transfer (Dropbox, SharePoint, secure-email link with password); ZIP archive of PDFs; physical copies for older records that pre-date digital storage. Your accountant SHOULD NOT charge you for record transfer to a successor accountant or yourself, this is standard professional practice + required by PCRT. Some firms charge a modest 'admin fee' for substantial archive retrieval (e.g. £50 to £150 for paper records spanning multiple years), that is reasonable; high charges or refusal-to-transfer is not.

If the response is unsatisfactory

If the accountant ignores the request, charges unreasonably, refuses transfer, or transfers incomplete records: (1) Send a formal complaint to the accountant's firm via their published complaints procedure (every regulated accounting firm has one). (2) If unresolved, escalate to their professional body, ICAEW (icaew.com/complaints), ATT (att.org.uk), CIOT (tax.org.uk), or ACCA (accaglobal.com/complaints). The professional body has authority to discipline members + can compel record transfer. (3) For unpaid-fee disputes blocking record transfer, you may need legal advice, solicitors who handle accountant disputes can engage.

Copy the letter text

Prefer not to download? Copy the text below and paste into your own document.

[Your full name]
  [Your business name, if applicable]
  [Your address]
  [Your email + phone]
  [Date]

  [Accountant's name]
  [Accountant's firm]
  [Firm address]

  Dear [Accountant's name],

  Request for tax return and supporting records

  I write to request copies of the following records held by you in relation to my tax affairs:

  1. Tax returns filed on my behalf for the following tax years / accounting periods: [list specific years, e.g. "2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25" or "year-ends 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024"].

  2. Supporting computations, schedules, and working papers underlying the returns at item 1.

  3. Underlying accounting records for the same periods, including: trial balance, profit and loss account, balance sheet, and supporting ledger detail.

  4. Source documents (receipts, invoices, bank statements) that I supplied to you and which you retained.

  5. Correspondence with HMRC handled on my behalf during the same periods.

  6. Our engagement letter and record of fees billed.

  I confirm my UTR is [your UTR] and my Companies House number (if applicable) is [number].

  I understand that, as a member of [ICAEW / ATT / CIOT / ACCA, specify], you are required by the Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT) to provide reasonable assistance with record transfer to a client on request. I would appreciate receipt of these records within [14 / 21 / 28] days from the date of this letter.

  I am happy to receive the records via [secure file transfer / encrypted email / physical copy / specify preference]. If any reasonable administrative charge applies for retrieving older records, please let me know in advance.

  Thank you for your assistance.

  Yours sincerely,

  [Your signature]
  [Your printed name]