Editor’s comment: coming to its senses on Making Tax Digital

The government's decision to delay Making Tax Digital quarterly reporting until 2020 was welcomed by the tax profession and business, and signalled recognition that HMRC itself was not ready for the digital overhaul of tax reporting as the project was flagged as high risk amber/red in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) annual report. Sara White, editor of Accountancy considers the implications

Concerted pressure from the profession, businesses, MPs and the Lords has seen the Treasury succumb to calls for a delay to the ambitious Making Tax Digital programme. This is good news for the 3.5m sole traders, small businesses and landlords who will not have to start quarterly reporting until ‘at least’ 2020, in the words of the Treasury.

This allows the government to further delay if required, although digital VAT reporting will go ahead from 2019. A shake-up at the Treasury has created a more reasonable approach and no doubt concerns about the impact of Brexit would have come into the equation.

Your free features:

Breaking news and expert analysis
Customisable daily newsletters
Six free CPD learning modules each year
Personalised CPD tracker
Top 75 Firms league tables
Regulatory changes
Hardman’s Tax Data

Tax | Making Tax Digital: are you ready for the first filing deadline?

Business | King’s Speech outlines closer trade ties with EU, less red tape

Tax | Personal tax changes from 6 April 2026

Business | Top 75 Firms Survey 2026: private equity drives growth and M&A surge

Tax | What you need to know: MTD for Income Tax complexities

Navigate

Tax Services

Your free features:

Sign up to Business & Accountancy Daily