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
-
When should you submit a protective claim to HMRC?
Your business has charged VAT on some sales but a recent tribunal decision has indicated that the goods are zero-rated according to the law. Should you submit a claim to HMRC for a rebate on your past sales?
-
Does personal use of business AI tools put tax relief at risk?
You’re self-employed and recently found a subscription service for an AI tool that can do the majority of your admin tasks. It’s so efficient that you’ve started to use it increasingly for non-business tasks too. Can you still claim tax relief?
-
Shifting private residence relief to maximise tax saving
Last year you bought a second home which has increased in value. Meanwhile your main home has devalued. How can you use a tax election to obtain loss relief for one property while exempting the gain on the other?