Client Update March 2023

HMRC is reminding VAT-registered businesses to file their VAT returns and pay on time ahead of new penalties being applied.

The tax authority says that the new penalties will be ‘fairer and more proportionate’ for businesses who submit their VAT returns or pay their VAT late.

The first monthly returns and payments affected by the penalties are due by 7 March 2023.

The late payment penalties and points-based late submission penalties were introduced from 1 January 2023, replacing the VAT default surcharge, and apply to accounting periods which start after that date.

The penalties for late VAT returns also apply to businesses that submit nil returns and repayment returns. Additionally, changes have been made to how interest is calculated.

Paul Riley, Director of Tax Administration at HMRC, said:

‘Our aim is to help customers get things right before monetary penalties are applied; a points-based system for late VAT returns will not punish the occasional error.

‘We are contacting 2.5 million VAT-registered businesses about the changes and will continue to support customers to help them manage their tax affairs and payments.’

Internet link: GOV.UK

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to use the upcoming Spring Budget to help ease cost pressures on small businesses.

Research carried out by the BCC revealed that 65% of firms are planning to raise prices due to cost pressures. In addition, 47% of firms stated that paying their energy bills will be difficult when the current energy support package ends.

The business group also found that 30% of businesses feel regularly troubled about taxation and regulation.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:

‘This snapshot of the state of play for business at the start of 2023 sets out exactly why the Chancellor must act in his Budget to fuel investment in the UK.

‘We know we have a tough year ahead. With costs piling up on their doorsteps and so much uncertainty on government policies, there is currently little incentive for firms to risk either their dwindling cash reserves or fresh loans on new projects.

‘Firms know that the UK’s finances are tight, but the Chancellor needs to show more faith in the ability and talent of our businesses.’

Internet link: BCC website

Inflation remains close to a 40-year high despite falling in January, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS found that inflation fell to 10.1% in the year to January 2023 from 10.5% in December 2022. The Bank of England has also reported that inflation ‘might now have turned a corner’ . The drop has been linked to the costs of fuel, restaurant and hotel prices slowing. The data also revealed that, on a monthly basis, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell by 0.6% in January 2023, compared to a fall of 0.1% in January 2022.

However, the ONS found that food inflation remains high with the 12 month rate to January 2023 at 16.7%. The largest upward contributions to the annual Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) inflation rate in January came from housing and household services, food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Alpesh Paleja, Lead Economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said:

‘Another fall in inflation over January suggests that the tide is turning on price pressures. But with inflation and pipeline cost pressures set to remain high this year, households and businesses are likely to feel the pain for a while yet. In particular, the continued strength in more domestic measures of inflation will keep alarm bells ringing at the Bank of England.

‘Given the central role played by energy prices in driving inflation up over the past year, the government must use the upcoming Budget to deliver a home-grown, secure, low-cost and low-carbon energy system. Measures that boost green investment will not only help reduce exposure to volatility in global energy prices, but also deliver a sustainable path to reaching net zero.’

Internet link: ONS website CBI website

The UK narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022 after the economy saw zero growth between October and December, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Although the economy shrank between July and September, a recession is defined as when the economy contracts for two consecutive three-month periods.

Over 2022, GDP grew by 4%, compared to 7.6% growth in the previous year and the UK economy is still 0.8% smaller than it was before the Covid-19 pandemic.

In December alone the economy fell by 0.5%, partly due to strikes.

Ben Jones, Lead Economist at the CBI, said:

‘We may have avoided a technical recession late last year, but we probably won’t avoid one this year. While we expect that the downturn will be shallow, if we act now, we can make the recession even shorter than predicted.

‘All eyes are on the Chancellor’s March Budget, when businesses will be looking for a bolder approach to tackling labour and skills shortages and falling business investment. In particular, firms will be looking for a permanent replacement to the super-deduction, as well as a focus on innovation and the green economy to help boost economic growth in the years ahead.’

Internet link: ONS website

A record 11.7 million self assessment taxpayers submitted their tax returns by the 31 January deadline, HMRC has revealed.

The final day for self assessment returns saw 861,085 customers file online to meet the deadline, some with minutes to spare. There were 36,767 customers who filed in the last hour before the deadline, but the peak hour for filing on the day was between 4pm and 4:59pm, when 68,462 customers submitted their tax return.

More than 12 million customers were expected to file a self assessment tax return for the 2021/22 tax year. HMRC is urging customers who missed the deadline to submit theirs as soon as possible or risk facing a penalty.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

‘Thank you to the millions of customers and agents who got their tax returns in on time. Customers who have yet to file, and who are concerned that they will not be able to pay in full, may be able to spread the cost of what they owe with a payment plan.’

Internet link: HMRC press release

Many small firms in the UK face challenges when it comes to finding and applying for funding, according to a report published by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The FSB’s report found that ‘widespread uncertainty’ exists among small businesses in regard to where to get information on the types of finance available to them.

Two thirds of small firms stated that they are planning to make some form of investment in their business by 2024. However, only 49% said that they have information on the different types of financing options available to them.

The FSB has urged the government to ‘take action to improve the financing landscape for small businesses’. It recommends introducing a VAT-based capital investment incentive; encouraging the use of the Bank Referral Scheme; and expanding the Start Up Loans Scheme from 11,000 to 15,000 loans per year.

Martin McTague, National Chair of the FSB, commented:

‘Small businesses that cannot access finance are small businesses that are cut off from opportunities to grow and expand. It’s that simple.

‘As a country, we cannot afford to have a repeat of the post-credit crunch scenario, where the dreams of thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners were crushed by a withdrawal of finance options, leaving them unable to continue and deepening the UK’s economic woes.

‘Many small firms now are in a highly precarious position, carrying debts from the pandemic, with the Bank of England raising the base rate, and with funding options getting scarcer and costlier.’

Internet link: FSB website

The Treasury and the Bank of England (BoE) have suggested that a state-backed ‘digital pound’ is likely to be launched this decade.

Both the Treasury and the Bank said that the public should have access to ‘safe’ digital money that can be used easily.

A central bank digital currency (CBDC) would use similar technology to cryptocurrencies, but the digital pound would be ‘less volatile’, according to the BoE.

Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, said:

‘As the world around us and the way we pay for things becomes more digitalised, the case for a digital pound in the future continues to grow. A digital pound would provide a new way to pay, help businesses, maintain trust in money and better protect financial stability.

‘However, there are a number of implications which our technical work will need to carefully consider. This consultation and the further work the Bank will now do will be the foundation for what would be a profound decision for the country on the way we use money.’

A consultation has been launched on how the CBDC would work.

Internet link: BoE website

HMRC has reminded married couples eligible for the Marriage Allowance to make use of the tax relief.

Over 2.1 million couples currently benefit from the Allowance, HMRC said. Married couples could save up to £252 a year, it added.

Eligible couples are those who are married or in a registered civil partnership; one spouse or partner does not pay Income Tax, or their income is below the Personal Allowance of £12,570; and the other spouse or partner pays income tax at the basic rate.

It is possible to backdate claims to include any tax year up to 6 April 2018, which could be worth up to £1,242 in tax relief.

Angela MacDonald, Deputy Chief Executive at HMRC, said:

‘We want every eligible couple to benefit from marriage allowance tax relief. Couples whose circumstances have changed – perhaps one of them has stopped working or taken a lower paid job – may not realise they are entitled to claim.

‘It’s easy to find out what you may be due – search ‘Marriage Allowance calculator’ on GOV.UK to get started. By applying on GOV.UK rather than through a third party, you get to keep 100% of the tax relief due.’

Internet link: GOV.UK

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 March 2023.

The guidance states: ‘you can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only apply to employees using a company car.

The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 March 2023 are:

HMRC guidance states that the rates only apply when you either:

• reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars
• require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel.

You must not use these rates in any other circumstances.

The Advisory Electricity Rate for fully electric cars is increased from 8p to 9p per mile. Electricity is not a fuel for car fuel benefit purposes.

If you would like to discuss your company car policy, please contact us.

Internet link: GOV.UK AFR