The world has embraced and in the main gone digital. More and more process driven business tasks are either being performed using software or, are being implemented by these programs via automation. We’ve witnessed a sea of change with the rise of online accounting software, the benefits of which are well versed:

  • Transactions and financial information can be input as they happen with lower margin for error
  • Powerful and insightful reports can now be created at the push of a button
  • Accounts can be accessed from different locations and reconciled in real time to your business bank account

That said plenty of individuals and organisations have maintained their traditional paper systems of accounting, after all, if it isn’t broken then why fix it!? Whilst understandable, as with all phases of change we’re fast approaching a tipping point with the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD)!

A free review of your accounting systems to help transition to Making Tax  Digital

Why MTD changes everything and when it's coming in

Back in the March 2015 Budget, the government announced a new tax initiative. Their aim was to digitise, and so end, the traditional tax return system as we know it.

It works whereby HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have set up a new online system, MTD, that brings the tax information of all self employed individuals and businesses into one place of storage. This means you can then register, update your information online, submit your income and expenditure figures to quarterly deadlines and pay any balance through the portal.

This means if your turnover is above the VAT threshold of £85,000, you'll have to keep digital records. The plan is for MTD to become mandatory by 2020 with a phased introduction in the meantime. Businesses and individuals can thus switch to digital record keeping at their own pace in that intervening period.

The anticipated timeline for MTD is as follows:

Making Tax Digital anticipated timeline

What this means for your finances, back office systems and software

To record your transactions, submit your statements and pay the tax due means you will need to adopt online accounting software systems. For this reason, there isn’t a choice any longer, it has to be done to ensure you stay compliant, pay HMRC what you owe and avoid penalties.  

If you’re still using desktop based software, that doesn’t connect to the internet and the cloud, then it’s time to look at the different products with a view to either upgrading or moving to a new online provider.

If you’ve continued to operate a system of paper ledgers then it’s time to embrace a sea change in how your accounting function operates. Whilst there will be a transition period of training and getting to grips with it, this can transform your finance function as you'll benefit from the real time financial insight to assist your strategic and investment decision making.

 

 

The benefits of MTD

The advantages don’t just sit with your own internal accounting and bookkeeping. MTD as a system means:

  • You'll have a centralised portal and account where all your information is stored allowing for a more customised service
  • Access your account from different devices in different locations at any time
  • Less form filling as HMRC will now be able to obtain information relating to you from other online sources
  • The digitisation of your records which will thus be processed (and tax collected) in a more real time manner
  • Viewing up to date data of all your liabilities and allowances in your account
  • You won’t have to wait to the end of the year to see how much tax you owe, eliminating the need to set money aside regularly for tax payment purposes
  • Receive electronic reminders and push notifications of deadlines 

Only a matter of time before the end of the tax return?

The government's timetable to MTD has been subject to revision. At present, the goal is for April 2020 but given how significant the change and it's impact on the commercial world, don't be surprised if it's altered again. 

If you don't already have online accounting software, or a related product, for your business then you need to plan and action this change now. The longer you leave it, the more rushed and difficult the integration could be.

Prepare for making tax digital

The content of this web page is up to date and relevant as at 01/02/2019.

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