HMRC phases in new IT system
The current VAT mainframe computer will be decommissioned next year. HMRC is preparing for this by moving businesses to a new IT system over the next few months. Why might this mean problems with payments?

HMRC intends to start moving taxpayer accounts to a new IT system in July 2021 and hopes to finish by September 2021. This change will affect:
- VAT-registered businesses that are not signed up to Making Tax Digital, i.e. mainly voluntary registrations; and
- businesses that pay their VAT bills by direct debit.
To comply with banking regulations, HMRC has to inform businesses that pay by direct debit of the amount and payment date before the payment is taken. Due to the short timeframe between the return due date and the payment date, HMRC says it will only be able to do this by email following the change. If a business has no email on record, the direct debit will be cancelled, meaning the business is at risk of paying late. It is therefore worth logging into the business tax account now to ensure there is an email address on record.
Related Topics
-
In-year relief claim? Prove it
Taxpayers not in self-assessment and who need to claim relief on pension contributions must now send evidence to HMRC. What’s the full story?
-
HMRC has withdrawn Form 652. How should you notify VAT errors going forward?
-
HMRC has recently expanded the scope of taxpayers who can arrange a payment plan online. What are the new parameters and conditions?
HMRC has recently expanded the scope of taxpayers who can arrange a payment plan online. What are the new parameters and conditions?