Skip to main content

Tax commentators give evidence on Making Tax Digital

6 February 2017

On Monday 6 February 2017 the Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee takes evidence on the Government's proposals to Make Tax Digital (MTD) that will apply to small businesses and residential landlords.

Witnesses

Monday 6 February in Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster

At 3.35pm

  • Mr John Whiting, Tax Director, Office of Tax Simplification
  • Professor Richard Murphy, Director of Tax Research UK and Professor of Practice in International Political Economy, City, University of London, Tax Research UK
  • Mr Robin Williamson, Technical Director, Low Income Tax Reform Group

At 4.15pm

  • Mr Kevin Hart, Head of Payroll and Third Party Integration at B&CE (The People's Pension), Business Application Software Developers Association (BADSA)
  • Mr Kevin Dady, Group CEO, IRIS Software Group

Likely questions

In the first session the Sub-Committee asks the witnesses about:

  • Will the changes simplify the taxation system?
  • Which businesses should be exempt from the scheme? Is the proposed threshold (turnover of £10,000 a year) too low?
  • Are the smallest businesses ready for the change?
  • Will the scheme improve the accuracy of tax records and reduce the tax gap?

In the second session the Sub-Committee asks the witnesses about:

  • How ready is the software industry ready for the start of making tax digital in April 2018?
  • Are the HMRC software and technical systems ready for the start of the scheme in April 2018?
  • Will software companies be willing to offer free software to small businesses?
  • Are smaller, less 'digitally-advanced' businesses ready for the changes? Will they be able to adapt?

Further information

Image: iStockphoto