The government has announced major changes to its Making Tax Digital for business (MTD) proposals: MTD will initially only apply for VAT. VAT registered businesses will be mandated into HMRC's plans for quarterly bookkeeping and reporting from 2019. MTD will not become compulsory for other business or taxes until 2020.

Proposed updated timetable:

• VAT registered businesses, with turnover over the VAT threshold will be mandated into the MTD reporting system from 2019.
• Property landlords and small business trading below the VAT threshold will join MTD from 2020, although they may opt in to MTD earlier if they wish to do so.
• There is no news on what is proposed for corporation tax.

Year	Which tax	Who	Exceptions
2019	VAT	VAT registered business	Business with a turnover of less than £10,000 Business engaged in excluded activities The Digitally Excluded Insolvent business Charitable trusts See MTD: Toolkit for Accountants & Advisers
2020	Income tax & Class 4 NICs	Self-employed individuals and landlords
2020?	Corporation tax Income tax & Class 4 NICs	Companies Large partnerships

 

The government says that it 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.

Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General 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.' 

Changes to VAT reporting will come into effect from April 2019. From that date, businesses above the VAT threshold have to provide their VAT information to HMRC through Making Tax Digital software.

Useful links

Making Tax Digital: the Index
What, when and why

MTD: Toolkit for Accountants & Advisers 
Summarising the new legislation as it affects you and your clients as it unfolds

MTD: Survival guide for the self employed
Client guide to MTD