Understanding the basis period reform: why it matters

In the ever-evolving landscape of taxation and financial regulations, staying informed about changes is crucial for both accountants and business owners. One such significant change in the UK tax system is the Basis Period Reform. Understanding this reform is essential if you want to ensure compliance, optimise tax planning, and align with ongoing initiatives like Making Tax Digital (MTD).

This guide explores what the Basis Period Reform is and why it matters for businesses and self-employed individuals.

What is the Basis Period Reform?

The Basis Period Reform fundamentally changes how self-employed individuals and partnerships calculate their taxable profits. Traditionally, the basis period for tax purposes was determined by reference to the business’s accounting period, which could vary from business to business. This often led to mismatches between accounting and tax periods, creating complexities for both taxpayers and accountants.

With the reform, trading income is generally charged in the tax year in which it arises, simplifying the calculation of taxable profits and aligning them more closely with actual income. While businesses are not required to adopt a 31st March or 5th April year-end, taxable profits must be calculated as though they were, which has implications for accounting period planning.

The transitional arrangements for businesses began in the 2023/24 tax year, with full implementation in 2024/25. These arrangements mean some businesses will encounter two accounting periods within a single tax year.

How the reform affects accounting periods

The tax year 2023/24 acted as a transitional year, aligning profits to 31st March 2024. Businesses with different accounting periods will calculate:

• Normal accounting period – the usual 12 months of trading
• Transitional accounting period – additional months needed to align with the tax year

The transitional period can be spread over five years, with a minimum of 20% applied each year. This approach ensures that businesses can manage the tax impact of the reform while maintaining compliance with accounting period requirements.

Who does it affect – and when?

The Basis Period Reform primarily affects:

• Self-employed individuals with non-standard accounting periods
• Partnerships whose accounting periods do not end on 31st March or 5th April

For more information on advanced financial reporting and compliance, see our guide on iXBRL for accountants.

The impact began in the transitional year 2023/24 unless a client chooses to align earlier. Understanding the interaction between the basis period and the business’s accounting period is essential for accurate tax planning and reporting.

Why does it matter?

Simplification and clarity

One of the primary goals of the Basis Period Reform is to simplify the tax calculations for self-employed individuals and partnerships. Previously, the basis period could be determined by different rules, leading to confusion and unnecessary complexity. With this reform, the calculation of taxable profits is more straightforward, making it easier for taxpayers to understand and comply with their tax obligations.

Reduced tax liability mismatches

Under the old system, the misalignment between accounting periods and tax periods often resulted in tax liability mismatches. This could lead to situations where individuals and businesses paid tax on income they hadn’t yet received or, conversely, delayed paying tax on income received. The Basis Period Reform aims to align tax liability with actual income earned, reducing these mismatches and providing a fairer system.

Enhanced planning and predictability

With the new rules, taxpayers can have greater control and predictability over their tax planning. By allowing for more flexibility in choosing the basis period, individuals and businesses can better manage their tax liability based on their financial circumstances. This increased flexibility is particularly beneficial for those with fluctuating incomes.

Alignment with digitalisation

The Basis Period Reform is designed to align with the ongoing digitalisation of the tax system in the UK – Making Tax Digital (MTD). As more tax-related processes move online, having a simplified and consistent basis period calculation is essential for efficient reporting and compliance. It helps streamline the transition to MTD and makes it easier for taxpayers to interact with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Fairness and consistency

Perhaps the most significant impact of the Basis Period Reform is its contribution to fairness and consistency in taxation. It ensures that individuals and businesses are taxed on the income they have actually earned within the chosen basis period, eliminating potential distortions and discrepancies.

Can there be issues with non-alignment?

If a business chooses not to align to the tax year, then it is very likely that those businesses will need to refile a Self-Assessment if estimates are being used.

Staying informed

In a constantly changing tax landscape, staying informed about reforms like the Basis Period Reform is crucial. This reform simplifies tax calculations, reduces mismatches in tax liability, and provides individuals and businesses with greater control over their tax planning. Moreover, it aligns with the ongoing MTD, making compliance more efficient and convenient. Understanding the importance of the Basis Period Reform empowers taxpayers to navigate the tax system more effectively and make informed financial decisions.

Want to learn more? Watch our webinar where our guest speaker, Martyn Verity, Partner at Moorhurst Partners LLP, took an in-depth look at what the Basis Period Reform really means for accountants today.