The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is urging Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield businesses to prepare for the new Making Tax Digital (MTD) laws ahead of HMRC’S rollout next month.
From the 1 April 2019, any registered businesses above the £85k VAT threshold will be required to maintain digital records for VAT and submit their returns digitally using MTD compatible software that can connect to HMRC systems via an Application Programming Interface.
The Mid Yorkshire Chamber’s plea follows a call from the British Chambers of Commerce to delay the introduction of MTD for all businesses until the start of the 2020/21 financial year, based on the alarming results of its recent Business Taxation Survey 2019.
The annual survey revealed there are still 22% of businesses that have either never heard of MTD, or know the name only, as well as highlighting a widespread dissatisfaction amongst the business community with its introduction.
Furthermore, many feel that there is lack of clarity and support from the HMRC and are unsure as to how they will cope with the additional admin burden.
The rollout of a government programme of this size is expected to take considerable time and resources, and steps need to be taken to minimise the disruption to already uncertain businesses.
Based on the results, the Mid Yorkshire Chamber fears that with the extraordinary context of the UK’s impeding exit from the European Union, HMRC will be too busy with efforts to support companies through the huge changes involved in this.
Martin Hathaway, managing director at the Mid Yorkshire Chamber said: “In light of the recent findings, we are urging local businesses to seek guidance and support over the next month to ensure they are fully prepared for any outcome.
“Although MTD, in the long term will make tax and VAT more manageable and easier to understand for businesses, we hope that the delay to the rollout suggested by the British Chambers of Commerce will be implemented, so that businesses are allowed more time to prepare.”
The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is one of 53 chambers accredited by the British Chamber of Commerce and is a growth driving organisation that provides the most relevant and valuable, services and benefits to businesses across the region.
For more information please visit please visit www.mycci.co.uk.
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