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New Digital Tax Regulations

February 10, 2016

WELSH ACCOUNTANTS READY TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES OVER NEW DIGITAL TAX REGULATIONS

Leading Welsh accountancy firm Bevan & Buckland is warning of new legislation which will transform the way companies submit their tax returns.

By 2020 businesses will be required to move from annual to quarterly online tax reporting.

“This is going to be a culture shock and something of a sea change in the way companies operate their tax accounting,” said Bevan & Buckland’s Tax Director Lee Bradley.

“But we at Bevan & Buckland are there to help firms negotiate their way around the changes before they happen so they are fully versed with the incoming system.”

Added Lee: “There are fears out there especially with regards small business that because of the new digital system it will lead to previously compliant individuals becoming non-compliant.”

The Low Incomes Tax Group (LITRG) has already flagged up its concerns that smaller businesses run by non-digital literate owners or those who do not keep up to date with their tax records may face sanctions from HMRC due to not meeting the new quarterly requirements.

The most at risk from failing the new system include older and disabled people, and those living in remote areas.

There are so many concerns that Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, has written to the Treasury seeking assurance that businesses will not be compelled to pay tax any earlier than they do now, and that adequate arrangements will be made for businesses that do not use computers.

The proposals require businesses and individual taxpayers to move from annual to quarterly online tax reporting by 2020. The proposals will also include plans for all taxpayers to be using digital accounts, with HMRC information automatically upload.

Anthony Thomas, LITRG chairman, said: “It is very harsh that small businesses with the lowest profit margins may be required to undertake significant investment and training in computer technology simply in order to comply with HMRC’s reporting requirements, and for no other purpose.”

John Allan, national chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, added: “The UK’s self-employed will particularly struggle with this change. We therefore want to see proper consultation with business groups and professional bodies, a clear statement of benefits to the business community and a package of support to help offset this new burden on business.”

For further information about how Bevan and Buckland can help your company with tax issues contact Lee Bradley on 01792 410100 or by email at help@bevanbuckland.co.uk.

Lee Bradley
Tax Director
01792 410119

email: lee@bevanbuckland.co.uk

Bevan & Buckland Accountants Swansea Tel: 01792 410100

Bevan & Buckland Accountants Haverfordwest Tel: 01437 760666

Bevan & Buckland Accountants Pembroke Tel: 01646 682383

Bevan & Buckland Accountants Carmarthen Tel: 01267 233115

Bevan & Buckland Accountants St David’s Tel: 01437 720352

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Warning to online traders

July 23, 2015

WARNING TO ONLINE TRADERS TO GET THEIR TAXES IN ORDER

People trading on online sites such as eBay, Gumtree and Etsy need to get their tax affairs in order as the HMRC wields extended legal powers giving it access to customer account details. The powers, which enable the HMRC to track down individuals who are not declaring their earnings, are an extension of the HMRC’s e-marketplace campaign of 2012.

Lee Bradley, Tax Director at Swansea accountancy firm Bevan & Buckland, said a significant number of the firm’s clients now sell through online marketplaces.

“We have seen a large increase in new businesses selling online via platforms such as eBay and Amazon” he said.

“The VAT/tax rules can get quite complicated especially when you start to sell to the EU or further afield (for example, in the USA). We have been dealing with a lot of queries from online clients and have become very knowledgeable in this area.”

The new powers are not aimed at penalising occasional online sellers, but set out to make sure online business traders pay their taxes. However, HMRC has not stated at what point a casual seller becomes a trader liable to pay tax. It has been reported that 14,000 online traders have received tax demands – some, according to The Telegraph, with profits of just £100.

Others have made a substantial profit online. One of the most high profile convictions so far was online trader John Woolfenden, who was jailed for two years late last year. He sold DVDs, CDs and games through sites including eBay, with nearly £1.4 million passing through his online bank accounts over a six-year period.

When completing your own accounts, it is worth remembering that any earnings exceeding the annual personal allowance of £10,600 are taxable, as long as they are regarded as profit from a business.

Above all, it is important to speak to an accountant and make sure you are well informed. “As with any law, not knowing is not a defence,” said Lee.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of tax and online trading.

If this applies to you please contact Bevan & Buckland, or Lee directly using the details below, as soon as possible.