The Government’s Make Tax Digital plan is perhaps not their most controversial scheme (after all, it’s had stiff competition). But it’s certainly sparked heated debate – and criticism and questions from not just prominent business figures but some of the Government’s own departments and officials.
The Government were accused of making unreasonable and expensive demands on the self-employed and smaller businesses, and of failing to do the research, preparation and gradual implementation that such significant changes required.
Various concessions and back-tracks followed until finally, last week, the Government announced that its plan has changed.
The Government Has Listened
Making Tax Digital proposes to transfer everyone to a digitised tax record system and also included plans for a quarterly tax reporting system as opposed to the current annual requirement.
The official statement said: ‘The government has listened to concerns raised by parliamentarians, in particular the Treasury Select Committee, businesses and professional bodies about the pace of change and is taking steps to ensure a smooth transition to a digital tax system… Roll out for Making Tax Digital has been amended to ensure businesses have plenty of time to adapt to the changes.’
The Government estimate that this change will affect three million of the smallest businesses and landlords.
The New MTD Timetable
The new timetable is good news for small businesses concerned about the speed and cost of the swift change to quarterly reporting.
Under the new timetable:
+ Only businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £90,000) will have to keep digital records, and then only for VAT purposes – this will now begin in April 2019. From that date, businesses above the VAT threshold have to provide their VAT information to HMRC through Making Tax Digital software.
+ businesses will not be asked to keep digital records, or to update HMRC quarterly, for other taxes until at least 2020
+ Making Tax Digital will be available on a voluntary basis for the smallest businesses, and for other taxes. Businesses and landlords with a turnover below the VAT threshold will be able to choose when to move to the new digital system.
+ As VAT already requires quarterly returns, no business will need to provide information to HMRC more regularly during this initial phase than they do now. All businesses and landlords will have at least two years to adapt to the changes before being asked to keep digital records for other taxes.
HMRC says it is ‘fully committed to supporting businesses in this transition’ and will continue ‘testing the system extensively with businesses.’
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General Mel Stride said: “Businesses agree that digitising the tax system is the right direction of travel. However, many have been worried about the scope and pace of reforms.
“We have listened very carefully to their concerns and are making changes so that we can bring the tax system into the digital age in a way that is right for all businesses.”
A Victory for Common Sense
The move has been welcomed by the many groups and individuals who expressed concern about the MTD plan.
Phil Hall, of the Association of Accounting Technicians, called it “a victory for common sense.”
National chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, Mike Cherry, said: “We’re delighted that the Chancellor’s team in the Treasury has listened to our concerns about the mandatory aspects of Making Tax Digital, and has now decided to change their planned timetable.
“The exemption of the very smallest firms below the VAT threshold has been FSB’s top priority for reform, and now millions of business owners will be relieved.
“This is a positive decision and will be a real lifeline for small firms already facing a hugely challenging economic climate.”
Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to The Treasury, Peter Dowd, said: “Labour’s manifesto pledged to permanently exempt small businesses from quarterly reporting to HMRC and we are glad to have forced the Government to reconsider such an onerous measure.” However, he added: “While we recognise the huge benefits of a digital tax system, we still have great reservations about the timetable for implementation.”
