Skip to main content
search

Many leading experts, including the ATT, CIOT and IPSE have supported recommendations from the House of Lords to further delay the introduction of mandatory Making Tax Digital for VAT.

The call was one of the key recommendations of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee’s report, ‘Making Tax Digital for VAT: Treating Small Businesses Fairly’.

It’s been suggested by the report that government should wait until at least April 2022 before Making Tax Digital is extended to other taxes in order for lessons to be learnt from the implementation of MTD for VAT.

Adrian Rudd, Chair of the CIOT / ATT Digitalisation and Agent Strategy Working Group (DASWG), said,“Many businesses still have little or no awareness of HMRC’s Making Tax Digital project. This widespread lack of awareness is a concern with the start date for MTD for VAT less than 150 days away. MTD for VAT will be the biggest overhaul in VAT obligations in decades. With just a few months to go before it kicks in, these knowledge gaps could mean normally compliant firms fail to fulfil their new obligations.

“If properly implemented, digitisation could lead to efficiencies for taxpayers, agents and tax authorities. But many businesses will really struggle to get ready in time, and we support the Committee’s recommendation of a delay for MTD for VAT. Pushing back the start date for Making Tax Digital for other taxes to 2022 at the earliest, is something we support, but it is more important that there is sufficient time set aside for a full review and evaluation of MTD for VAT before this programme is extended.

Still thinking about if you should join Dolan Accountancy?

Give us a call on 01442 795100 or email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com

Email Jaime

“The use of software can bring many advantages but it should be something which businesses choose because it delivers those benefits, and not be something they are forced to adopt. This is particularly important because we remain sceptical about HMRC’s assumption that Making Tax Digital for VAT will indeed reduce the tax gap and it is likely to cost businesses far more to implement than HMRC have estimated.

“With Brexit in March next year and MTD for VAT coming in just days later it promises to be a spring of change and challenge for businesses.”

Simon McVicker, IPSE’s Director of Policy, also commented, “We support digitisation of the tax system, but we are worried about the speed of the implementation.

“HMRC’s initial timetable for Making Tax Digital was way too ambitious and targeted the wrong businesses.

“IPSE was grateful to the government for heeding our calls and delaying the initial implementation until 2019.

“However, we are concerned that many self-employed businesses simply don’t know about the new requirements.

“The costs for implementing these changes could be higher than government predictions, so we’d welcome a further delay to give our smallest businesses some extra breathing room.

“A surprisingly large number of very small businesses still keep paper records.

“They don’t have access to in-house accounting and finance departments like bigger businesses and are therefore at greater risk of being disrupted by the new reporting requirements.”

To find out more about contracting please contact James on 01442 795 100 or email james.trowell@dolanaccountancy.com.

Why Thousands of Contractors Choose Dolan Accountancy

With over 25 years experience in contractor accountancy helping thousands of contractors, freelancers and the self employed, Dolan Accountancy has the specialist skills, reputation and credibility you can trust.

Working closely with our sister company, Contractor Umbrella, it means we can offer one low cost, fixed fee package at £125 + VAT. This gives you the flexibility of using both our Limited Company Accountancy Services and our award winning Umbrella Service, for one inclusive cost.

If you’d like to find out more about how Dolan Accountancy can help you and your business, please give us a call on 01442 795 100 or email sophie.lewis@dolanaccountancy.com or jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.

We don’t believe in tiered packages or hidden extra fees, instead we aim to give you everything you need, including:

  • Free Company Formation – This is where it all begins. Once you have decided on an available name, we will form your company free of charge (if using our accountancy services) and it will be ready for you to use in as little as three hours
  • Free use of Contractor Umbrella – With IR35 Legislation changes we understand that sometimes you are required to contract via an umbrella company. We will keep your limited company ticking over, while you work margin free via our sister company, Contractor Umbrella
  • A Dedicated Accountant – Your accountant will be there for any company or personal tax advice that you require. We will never outsource work, even to internal teams
  • Free Access to FreeAgent – We offer all of our clients access to FreeAgent, free of charge
  • Free Business Banking – We have decided to waive our commission so our clients can use Tide free of charge for the first year
  • Unlimited IR35 Status Reviews – We will review all of your contracts for IR35 purposes and provide you with our professional opinion as to its status
  • Free Registered and Director’s Service Office Address – Sometimes you just don’t want your home address on display at Companies House. When you sign up to our accountancy services, we will offer the use of our address as an alternative
  • Your Business and Personal Taxation Needs – This includes Company Accounts, Director’s Personal Tax Return, VAT Returns, Payroll, Corporation Tax and Dividend advice, to name just a few
x

Not Found What You’re Looking For?

Speak to an ExpertLimited or Umbrella?
Exit
Take Home Pay Calculator