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With the introduction of a new fully digitalised system, quarterly reporting and the need to use compatible software it is clear the implementation of the government’s Making Tax Digital scheme constitutes a significant milestone in the history of the United Kingdom’s taxation system.
Almost three million taxpayers* are set to directly impacted by the incoming Making Tax Digital for Income Tax rules, while the VAT side of the system has already changed the way small businesses operate when it comes to tax reporting.
The government insists the policy will make the tax system simpler, but there are concerns over costs and questions marks over whether self-employed individuals are prepared - or even aware of - the changes.
In this article, we look at what Making Tax Digital is, the benefits and challenges of the scheme, and what people should do to make sure they are prepared.
Making Tax Digital is the government’s policy to introduce a fully digital tax system in the UK. The initiative requires taxpayers to keep digital records and use specialised software to make their tax submissions electronically.
The plans roll-out has been divided between VAT and Income Tax elements. Making Tax Digital for VAT was implemented in April 2022, while the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will replace the current system of self-assessment tax returns, with the first stage of implementation taking place next year.
One of the biggest changes is that taxpayers will need to report their earnings to HMRC more frequently. Quarterly updates will be required for every business, although these reports only need to be summaries rather than a full tax return.
As long ago as 2015, HMRC published a roadmap outlining its vision for Making Tax Digital. The over-riding idea behind the change is to make it easier for businesses and individuals to manage and pay their taxes online, replacing the traditional paper-based system with a more efficient digital one.
The government is also focused on tackling tax avoidance and encouraging taxpayers to meet their obligations on time. HMRC estimates the current tax gap for self-assessment businesses is around £5bn**, with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax predicted to raise around £780m additional tax revenue by 2028/29. It is also likely that there will be increased fines for any businesses which miss the new reporting submission deadlines.
As well as the government’s oft-stated desire to make the system simpler, Making Tax Digital has some clear benefits:
The Making Tax Digital changes present a steep learning curve and potential resource burden for small businesses and self-employed individuals, notably with the change to quarterly reporting.
There have also been concerns raised over the potential for digital exclusion, and the costs involved – both in terms of the roll-out of the system and for businesses themselves.
In 2023, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee warned HMRC had lost sight of the need to put taxpayers first when it came to changes to the tax system.
Their report, ‘Progress with Making Tax Digital,’ warned the initiative risks making tax more complicated rather than simplifying the system, while it also raised concerns about spiralling costs.
It said that while the total cost of the Making Tax Digital programme had been £222m in 2016, by 2023 it had jumped by 400% to £1.3bn***. The report also highlighted the predicted extra cost to business taxpayers, with HMRC’s own figures showing taxpayers would have to collectively pay out an additional £1.9bn over the first five years of the scheme.
Making Tax Digital’s requirement for compatible accounting software means additional costs for businesses. Cloud-based, subscription software and services carry monthly fees or £10-£20.
While some taxpayers may already be accustomed to Making Tax Digital for VAT, for many the greatest change to the income tax system in a generation is fast approaching.
HMRC believes Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will reduce errors and save self-employed people time when it comes to compiling tax returns, but there are basic differences between income taxpayers and businesses filing under Making Tax Digital for VAT which some commentators say will challenge those assumptions significantly.
For example, VAT returns were already filed monthly or quarterly meaning the move to quarterly reporting wasn’t a huge change. When it comes to income tax, those used to compiling a single annual tax return up to 22 months after the start of the tax year will have to get used to a very significant change of timelines.
Quarterly reporting may well result in reduced time spent on final tax returns, but there is a risk of a fourfold increase in time and cost arising from the more regular submissions.
What is certain is that self-employed individuals need to be ready for the changes and the need to comply with the new regulations. If they are not, they risk facing penalties for non-compliance.
* From: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax business population statistics: commentary - GOV.UK
864,000 people with income over £50,000; 1,077,000 with income between £30-50,000; and 975,000 earning from £20-30,000 – total of 2,916,000F
** From: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment for sole traders and landlords - GOV.UK
*** From: Progress with Making Tax Digital - Committee of Public Accounts
Summarised here, among other places: MPs warn that MTD has lost sight of taxpayer benefits | AccountingWEB
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