Government delays MTD for income tax and basis period reform
Following vocal representation from various professional bodies, the government has agreed to delay crucial reforms to the tax system. What’s the full story?

On 23 September 2021 the secondary legislation for implementing Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD ITSA) was published. The new regulations confirm that MTD ITSA will be implemented for self-employed trading income and property income. However, the implementation date will now be 6 April 2024 rather than 2023. All sole trade businesses and landlords will come within MTD ITSA from that date. General partnerships will follow twelve months later, with other types of partnership in subsequent years yet to be confirmed. The new penalty system that was due to be introduced alongside MTD ITSA will also be pushed back to 2024.
Further welcome news came via a ministerial statement concerning basis period reform. The statement says that the reform will now not take place until April 2024 at the earliest, which would mean the transition year would be in 2023/24 not 2022/23. A statement on whether the reform will be dropped completely is expected at next month’s Budget - though we currently believe this is unlikely.
Related Topics
-
Should you agree to your customer’s self-billing request?
A customer wants to adopt a self-billing system, meaning they will issue invoices on your behalf and charge VAT or otherwise. Can you refuse their request and what are the risks of accepting?
-
Travel expenses - exempt or not?
You have several employees who travel from home or their workplace in the course of doing their job. Naturally, you meet the cost of their travel but should you be deducting tax and NI from the payments, or are they exempt?
-
Lending to a relative - avoiding the tax trap
Your daughter needs financial help to get her company started. You’ve agreed that your company will lend her the money. Your accountant says that this will trigger a tax charge. What is the charge and how can you legitimately dodge it?