15th November 2018
News
CHW Accounting
The first phase of the Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative is drawing closer. It’s less than a year until UK businesses that are VAT registered and above the threshold will be required to keep, and submit their records, to the HMRC digitally.
Even so, there’s still plenty of confusion in the market around what MTD means for businesses, well don’t worry, we’ve got it covered.
What is Making Tax Digital?
MTD is designed to make it as easy as possible for individuals and businesses to get their tax right and as well as simplifying the HMRC submission process.
This first phase of the MTD initiative only concerns VAT reporting.
Key Points on the impacts on MTD are;
HMRC’s latest guidance on MTD VAT states that;
Whilst the complete set of digital records to meet MTD requirements do not all have to be held in one place or program, there must be a digital link between these pieces of software used.
What does this mean for my business?
So if you’re a business with a turnover above £85,000 you’ve got less than a year to get yourself ‘MTD ready’. If you submit VAT manually through the post or online (using the existing Government Gateway tool), you will have to integrate commercial accounting software into your business ahead of April 2019 as these forms of submissions will no longer be accepted by HMRC.
What are the cost implications associated with MTD?
For businesses requiring digital software for the first time, there are a number of providers that will offer a subscription basis package, tailored to your company’s size and/or structure.
If you need help deciding on the best software, or would like to discuss how best to approach this, just let us know. We’d be happy to help!
Are there any exemptions for businesses which have a turnover above the VAT registration threshold?
The HMRC have outlined three key areas for exemption to MTD;
I’m not sure if I’ll clear the £85,000 threshold this year?
MTD is only mandatory for businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold – currently £85,000.
You will however need to be mindful of your taxable income. We can help you with this, along with helping you comply with VAT registration requirements. You will be required to VAT register and come within the scope of MTD if:
Will there be penalties for not complying with MTD?
If businesses fail to comply, they will attract ‘points’. Points unfortunately mean penalties in line with the Governments new ‘points-based’ penalties regime.
Late filing penalties
Last year, HMRC decided that those who do not comply with MTD will face a new, ‘points-based’ penalty model.
In short, late filing will attract penalty points, which will accrue on the basis of how late the filing is and how many filings have been submitted late.
After four late submissions, a penalty will be charged for each late submission.
Similar to penalty points received on driving licences for motoring offences, MTD ‘points’ will expire after a certain period – and can also be appealed if the business or taxpayer feels they are unfair. Typically, points will be erased after four compliant submissions.
Late payment penalties and interest
HMRC’s penalty system for late payments will be different to that applied to late filing.
With late payments, penalties will apply after 15 days of non-payment, and then double after 30 days of non-payment, with daily penalties charged thereafter. Interest will accrue on outstanding amounts from the due date until payment.
HMRC has confirmed that there will be a ‘soft landing’ period for late submissions during the first year of MTD for VAT. However, it is not clear whether the current VAT surcharge system will apply to VAT returns submitted under MTD within that ‘soft-landing’ period.
Grab a biscuit and a brew and read our latest news.
8 March 2022
Temporary reduced VAT rate for leisure and hospitality to...
On 8 July 2020, as an urgent response to the pandemic, the government announced a number of VAT measures including a temporary reduction of the VAT…
1 March 2022
National Minimum and National Living Wage changes April 2022
From 1 April 2022, the government is increasing but the National Minimum and National Living Wage rates. The National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount an…
22 February 2022
Dividend taxes to rise from 6 April 2022 –...
The government has confirmed that it will not be backing down on the planned hike in National Insurance (NI) and dividend tax from April 2022. There…
10 January 2022
Late filing and late payment penalties are to be...
HMRC has given self-assessment taxpayers more time to ease COVID-19 pressures. With the self-assessment deadline less than three weeks away, many individuals and agents will be…
7 January 2022
Making tax digital for VAT – April 2022 –...
Since 1 April 2019, VAT-registered businesses with a turnover above the VAT registration threshold of £85,000 have been required to keep their records digitally and provide…
No matter what your challenge is, we’ve probably dealt with it before.