Drop proposed basis period reform, urges ICAEW

Pushing through proposals to change basis periods ahead of the expansion of Making Tax Digital (MTD) will cause as many problems as it solves, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has warned.

03 Sep 2021

Pushing through proposals to change basis periods ahead of the expansion of Making Tax Digital (MTD) will cause as many problems as it solves, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has warned.

HMRC recently began a consultation outlining proposals to align basis periods with the tax year.

However, the ICAEW's Tax Faculty argues that implementing such changes ahead of the introduction of Making Tax Digital for income tax self assessment (MTD for ITSA) 'would not provide any genuine simplification to the UK's tax system'.

Instead, it says such reforms would be likely to increase costs, complexity and uncertainty for those businesses affected. It could also damage the UK's attractiveness as a place for the location of international service firms, the ICAEW added.

The ICAEW said that those businesses not following the tax year are likely to have very good reasons for doing so, including aligning with 31 December which is the international standard for the tax year end.

The response also highlights the considerable difficulties that the proposed change would pose for seasonal businesses, agricultural firms and GP practices.

The ICAEW concludes: 'As the UK recovers from the pandemic, the one thing businesses need most of all is a period of certainty and stability. This is not the time to make this change and we urge the government to drop the proposal.'

Quick Links

Home | Contact us | Accessibility | Disclaimer | Help | Site map |

© 2024 Blue Spire Limited (Brighton). All rights reserved.

We use cookies on this website, you can find more information about cookies here.

Blue Spire Limited (Brighton) are Accountants in Brighton.

Contact Brighton Office

Tel: +44 (0)1273 739533
Fax: +44 (0)1273 732844
Email: brighton@bluespiregroup.com


Contact Chichester Office

Tel: +44 (0)1243 781234
Fax: +44 (0)1243 791770
Email: chichester@bluespiregroup.com

Brighton Address
5th Floor Intergen House, 65-67 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2JQ

Chichester Address
Cawley Priory, South Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1SY

Blue Spire Limited is Registered to carry out audit work in the UK and Ireland and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales C004152645. Professional indemnity insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Plc 9th Floor, One Plantation Place, 30 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BD and its territorial coverage is worldwide (excluding United States/Canada).
Blue Spire Financial Planning Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FSA register https://www.fca.org.uk/register reference 566257. This guidance and/or advice contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime, and is therefore targeted at customers based in the UK