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Statutory Instruments
Income Tax
Made
at 9.22 a.m. on 23rd September 2021
Laid before the House of Commons
at 1.30 p.m. on 23rd September 2021
Coming into force
6th April 2024
The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraphs 2(4), 7 to 9, 11, 13 to 15 and 18 of Schedule A1 to the Taxes Management Act 1970(1).
Prospective
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Income Tax (Digital Requirements) Regulations 2021 and come into force on 6th April [F12026].
Textual Amendments
F1Word in reg. 1 substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 3
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 1 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
2. In these Regulations—
“TMA 1970” means the Taxes Management Act 1970;
“Commissioners” means the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;
F2...
“digital records” has the meaning given by regulation 6;
“the digital requirements” has the meaning given by regulation 3(1);
“digital start date” has the meaning given by regulation 4;
F3...
F4...
“HMRC” means Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;
“property business” has the same meaning as it has in section 263(6) of ITTOIA 2005(2);
“quarterly deadline” has the meaning given by regulation 7(5);
[F5“quarterly update period”] has the meaning given by regulation 7;
“quarterly update” has the meaning given by regulation 7(2);
“relevant person” means a person to whom Schedule A1 applies by virtue of paragraph 1 or 2 of Schedule A1, other than a person to whom an exemption applies by virtue of Part 7 or 8 of these Regulations;
“retailer” has the same meaning as it does in Schedule 11 to the Value Added Tax Act 1994(3);
F6...
“Schedule A1” means Schedule A1 of TMA 1970;
“update information” means financial information and other information in respect of the business of a relevant person for a [F7quarterly update period];
“update notice” has the meaning given by regulation 8(1).
Textual Amendments
F2Words in reg. 2 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 4(a)(i)
F3Words in reg. 2 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 4(a)(ii)
F4Words in reg. 2 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 4(a)(iii)
F5Words in reg. 2 substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 4(b)
F6Words in reg. 2 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 4(a)(iv)
F7Words in reg. 2 substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 4(c)
Commencement Information
I2Reg. 2 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
3.—(1) A relevant person must use functional compatible software to comply with the following requirements (“the digital requirements”)—
(a)to record digital records under Part 2;
(b)to preserve those digital records until the end of the relevant day as required by section 12B(1A)(b) of TMA 1970(4);
(c)to provide quarterly updates under Part 3; and
F8(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F9(e)to provide corrections to digital records under Part 6.]
(2) Where a relevant person has received notice to file for a year of assessment under section 8 of TMA 1970 [F10and is required to file an end of period statement for that tax year], that person may use functional compatible software to comply with the duty to file the things mentioned in subsection (1AB)(a) for that year(5).
(3) “Functional compatible software” means a software program or set of compatible software programs which comply with conditions set out in a software notice, where such notice has been made, and the functions of which include—
(a)recording and preserving digital records in a digital form;
(b)providing to HMRC quarterly updates F11... by using the API platform; and
(c)receiving information from HMRC using the API platform in relation to a relevant person’s compliance with obligations under these Regulations.
(4) “Software notice” means a general direction given by the Commissioners which is stated to be given further to this regulation and specifies conditions with which functional compatible software must comply.
(5) A software notice may specify different conditions for different cases or purposes.
(6) “API platform” means the application programming interface that enables electronic communication with HMRC, as specified by notice made by the Commissioners.
Textual Amendments
F8Reg. 3(1)(d) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 5(a)(i)
F9Reg. 3(1)(e) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 5(a)(ii)
F10Reg. 3(2): by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 5(b), it is provided that (14.3.2024) the words “and is required to file an end of year statement for that tax year” are omitted
F11Words in reg. 3(3)(b) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 5(c)
Commencement Information
I3Reg. 3 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
4.—(1) Where a relevant person is carrying on a business(6) immediately before 6th April [F122025] the digital start date that applies to that business is 6th April [F132026].
(2) [F14Paragraph (5) applies] where a relevant person—
(a)commences carrying on a business on or after 6th April [F152025]; and
(b)is required to make or deliver a return under section 8 of TMA 1970 including information relating to that business.
F16(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F17(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F18(5) The digital start date that applies to the business is 6th April in the year of assessment following the year of assessment in which the person was required to deliver the return.]
Textual Amendments
F12Word in reg. 4(1) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 6(a)(i)
F13Word in reg. 4(1) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 6(a)(ii)
F14Words in reg. 4(2) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 6(b)(i)
F15Word in reg. 4(2)(a) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 6(b)(ii)
F16Reg. 4(3) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 6(c)
F17Reg. 4(4) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 6(c)
F18Reg. 4(5) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 6(d)
Commencement Information
I4Reg. 4 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
5.—(1) A relevant person must keep digital records for each business for the period beginning with the digital start date which applies to the business and ending with the date on which the business ceases.
(2) A relevant person must record a digital record by no later than—
(a)the quarterly deadline for the [F19quarterly update period] in which the digital record falls; or
(b)immediately before the relevant person provides the quarterly update for the [F20quarterly update period] in which the digital record falls,
whichever is the earlier.
Textual Amendments
F19Words in reg. 5(2)(a) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 7
F20Words in reg. 5(2)(b) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 7
Commencement Information
I5Reg. 5 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
6.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), “digital records” for a business means [F21records of—
(a)the financial information included in update information,
(b)the details of the items comprised in that financial information,
(c)the amounts of those items and dates on which those items were received or incurred, and
(d)such other information as the Commissioners consider relevant to ascertaining update information as may be specified by a notice made by the Commissioners which is stated to be made further to this regulation.]
F22(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) In respect of the retail sales of the business of a retailer, [F23a relevant person may keep such digital records as may be specified by a notice made by the Commissioners which is stated to be made further to this paragraph].
Textual Amendments
F21Words in reg. 6(1) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 8(a)
F22Reg. 6(2) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 8(b)
F23Words in reg. 6(3) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 8(c)
Commencement Information
I6Reg. 6 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
7.—(1) A relevant person must provide to HMRC update information for a business, as specified in an update notice, in respect of each [F24quarterly update period] for each tax year.
(2) “Quarterly update” means the provision of information required by paragraph (1).
(3) Subject to paragraphs (8), (9) and (10) [F25and regulation 9(1A)], the [F26quarterly update periods] for a tax year are those specified in the following table.
Period | |
---|---|
[F27Quarterly update period] 1 | The period beginning with the first day of the tax year (6th April) and ending with the following 5th July |
[F27Quarterly update period] 2 | The period beginning with the [F28first day of the tax year (6th April)] and ending with the following 5th October |
[F27Quarterly update period] 3 | The period beginning with the [F28first day of the tax year (6th April)] and ending with the following 5th January |
[F27Quarterly update period] 4 | The period beginning with the [F28first day of the tax year (6th April)] and ending with the following 5th April |
(4) Each quarterly update must be provided by no later than the quarterly deadline.
(5) The quarterly deadlines for each [F29quarterly update period] are the dates specified in the following table.
Deadline | |
---|---|
[F29Quarterly update period] 1 | [F307th] August following the end of [F31quarterly update period] 1 |
[F29Quarterly update period] 2 | [F307th] November following the end of [F31quarterly update period] 2 |
[F29Quarterly update period] 3 | [F307th] February following the end of [F31quarterly update period] 3 |
[F29Quarterly update period] 4 | [F307th] May following the end of [F31quarterly update period] 4 |
(6) A relevant person may make an election under this paragraph for a business in respect of a tax year (“a calendar quarters election”).
(7) A calendar quarters election has effect for the tax year in respect of which it is made and for subsequent tax years until it is withdrawn.
(8) Subject to paragraph (9) [F32and regulation 9(1A)], where a calendar quarters election has effect for a tax year, the [F33quarterly update periods] for that tax year are those specified in the following table.
Period | |
---|---|
[F34Quarterly update period] 1 | The period beginning with 1st April before the beginning of the tax year and ending with the following 30th June |
[F34Quarterly update period] 2 | The period beginning with [F351st April before the beginning of the tax year] and ending with the following 30th September |
[F34Quarterly update period] 3 | The period beginning with [F351st April before the beginning of the tax year] and ending with the following 31st December |
[F34Quarterly update period] 4 | The period beginning with [F351st April before the beginning of the tax year] and ending with the following 31st March |
(9) For the first tax year for which a calendar quarters election has effect, [F36each quarterly update period begins with the first day of the tax year (6th April) and ends on the date specified for that quarterly update period in the table in paragraph (8)].
(10) For the tax year following the final tax year for which a calendar quarters election has effect, [F37each quarterly update period begins with the 1st April before the beginning of the tax year and ends on the date specified for that quarterly update period in the table in paragraph (3)].
(11) A calendar quarters election must be made by notice to HMRC [F38before the relevant person provides any update information in relation to the first quarterly update in respect of a quarterly update period for the tax year in respect of which the election is made].
(12) A calendar quarters election may be withdrawn by notice to HMRC at any time.
(13) Where a calendar quarters election is withdrawn, it ceases to have effect—
(a)at the beginning of the tax year in which it is withdrawn, where the withdrawal is made [F39before any update information has been provided for that year]; and
(b)immediately after the end of the tax year in which it is withdrawn, in all other cases.
Textual Amendments
F24Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(a)
F25Words in reg. 7(3) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(b)(i)
F26Words in reg. 7(3) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(b)(ii)
F27Words in reg. 7(3) Table substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(b)(iii)
F28Words in reg. 7(3) Table substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(b)(iv)
F29Words in reg. 7(5) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(c)(i)
F30Word in reg. 7(5) Table substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(c)(ii)
F31Words in reg. 7(5) Table substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(c)(i)
F32Words in reg. 7(8) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(d)(i)
F33Words in reg. 7(8) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(d)(ii)
F34Words in reg. 7(8) Table substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(d)(iii)
F35Words in reg. 7(8) Table substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(d)(iv)
F36Words in reg. 7(9) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(e)
F37Words in reg. 7(10) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(f)
F38Words in reg. 7(11) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(g)
F39Words in reg. 7(13)(a) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 9(h)
Commencement Information
I7Reg. 7 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
8.—(1) “Update notice” means a notice made by the Commissioners which is stated to be made further to this regulation and which specifies update information to be provided to HMRC.
F40(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) For different descriptions of relevant person, different [F41update information] may be specified.
Textual Amendments
F40Reg. 8(2) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 10(a)
F41Words in reg. 8(3) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 10(b)
Commencement Information
I8Reg. 8 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
9.—(1) For the purposes of regulation 7(1), the first [F42quarterly update period] for a business is the period beginning on the digital start date which applies to the business.
[F43(1A) Where a person ceases to carry on a business, the quarterly update period ends on the date of the cessation.]
(2) A final quarterly update for the business is required for the [F44quarterly update period] during which the business ceases [F45to be carried on].
(3) Where paragraph (2) applies, the relevant person must [F46give notice of the cessation, and the date of the cessation, to HMRC on or before the quarterly deadline for the final quarterly update period].
Textual Amendments
F42Words in reg. 9(1) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 11(a)
F43Reg. 9(1A) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 11(b)
F44Words in reg. 9(2) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 11(c)(i)
F45Words in reg. 9(2) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 11(c)(ii)
F46Words in reg. 9(3) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 11(d)
Commencement Information
I9Reg. 9 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
10.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a relevant person may provide update information as specified in an update notice for the whole of a [F48quarterly update period] before the end of that period.
(2) A relevant person may do so only if—
(a)the update information is provided by a date (“the provision date”) which is within 10 days before the end of the [F48quarterly update period];
(b)when providing the update information, the relevant person confirms that the update information covers the whole of [F48quarterly update period]; and
(c)the relevant person reasonably expects that no update information will arise in respect of the period commencing with the provision date and ending with the end of the [F48quarterly update period].
Textual Amendments
F47Words in reg. 10 heading substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 12
F48Words in reg. 10 substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 13
Commencement Information
I10Reg. 10 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
Textual Amendments
F49Pt. 4 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 14
F4911. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F4912. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F4913. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F4914. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prospective
Textual Amendments
F50Pt. 5 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 15
F5015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prospective
17.—(1) Where a relevant person discovers an error or omission in their digital records, the relevant person must correct the digital records as soon as possible.
(2) Paragraph (3) applies where—
(a)in consequence of such an error or omission a quarterly update is provided to HMRC which contains incorrect or incomplete information; and
(b)[F51the final quarterly update] has not been provided for the relevant period to which the quarterly update applies.
(3) The relevant person must provide the correct or complete information to HMRC when the relevant person next provides—
(a)a quarterly update F52...
Textual Amendments
F51Words in reg. 17(2)(b) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 16(a)
F52Words in reg. 17(3) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 16(b)
Commencement Information
I11Reg. 17 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
F5318. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F53Reg. 18 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 17
F5419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F54Reg. 19 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 18
Prospective
20.—(1) The digital requirements do not apply to a person for a tax year if—
(a)at the time any of those requirements would otherwise apply the person is digitally excluded(7);
(b)the person gives notice to HMRC that the person is digitally excluded; and
(c)the Commissioners confirm they are satisfied that the person is digitally excluded.
(2) A notice under paragraph (1)(b) must—
(a)specify how the digital exclusion condition is met in relation to the person; and
(b)specify the date from which the digital exclusion condition is met and, if the person has since ceased to be digitally excluded, the date on which the condition ceased to be met.
(3) On receipt of a notice under paragraph (1)(b), the Commissioners must give a notice that either they are or are not satisfied that the person is digitally excluded.
(4) A notice by the Commissioners under paragraph (3) must be given within 28 days of receiving the notice under paragraph (1)(b).
(5) Where—
(a)the Commissioners have given notice that they are satisfied that a person is digitally excluded; and
(b)the person then ceases to be digitally excluded,
the person must give notice of so ceasing to HMRC within 3 months of the person ceasing to be digitally excluded.
(6) A notice under paragraph (5) must specify the date on which the person ceased to be digitally excluded.
(7) If the Commissioners cease to be satisfied that a person is digitally excluded they must give notice to the person that they have ceased to be so satisfied.
(8) A notice under paragraph (7) must specify the date on which the Commissioners ceased to be satisfied that the person was digitally excluded.
(9) If a person ceases to be digitally excluded, the digital requirements apply in respect of the tax year following that in which the person ceased to be digitally excluded and to subsequent tax years.
Commencement Information
I12Reg. 20 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
21.—(1) The digital requirements do not apply to a person for a tax year to which the exemption in this regulation applies.
F55(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F56(3) The exemption applies—
(a)for the tax year 2026-27, if the amount of the person’s qualifying income for the tax year 2024-25 is not more than £50,000, and
(b)for subsequent tax years, if the amount of the person’s qualifying income for the most recent tax year in relation to which the filing deadline fell before the start of the tax year in question is not more than £30,000.]
(4) The filing deadline in relation to a tax year is the date on or before which the person is required to comply with a notice to file under section 8 of TMA 1970.
(5) A person’s qualifying income for a tax year is the sum of the amounts of income F57... which, for each business carried on by the person in that tax year, are included in that person’s return under section 8 of TMA 1970 for that tax year(8).
[F58(5A) But a person’s qualifying income for a tax year does not include any qualifying care receipts for that tax year.
(5B) For the purpose of paragraph (5), the amount of income for each business is—
(a)the amount included in the return before any deductions, or
(b)if a person is not required to include in the return the amount of income before any deductions, the amount included in the return after deductions.
(5C) For the purposes of determining a person’s qualifying income for a tax year, no account will be taken of any amendment to that person’s return for that year if—
(a)it would increase that person’s qualifying income for that year, and
(b)it is made after the start of the tax year to which the exemption under this regulation would apply.]
(6) If a person’s qualifying income for a tax year is in respect of a period of other than 12 months, the qualifying income must be adjusted proportionately on a time basis, or, if it appears that that method would work unreasonably or unjustly, on a just and reasonable basis.
(7) If a person is not carrying on a business in a tax year the qualifying income is treated as nil.
[F59(8) “Qualifying care receipts” has the same meaning as in Chapter 2 of Part 7 of ITTOIA 2005.]
Textual Amendments
F55Reg. 21(2) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 19(a)
F56Reg. 21(3) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 19(b)
F57Words in reg. 21(5) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 19(c)
F58Reg. 21(5A)-(5C) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 19(d)
F59Reg. 21(8) inserted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 19(e)
Commencement Information
I13Reg. 21 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
22.—(1) The digital requirements do not apply to a person for a tax year to which the exemption in this regulation applies.
F60(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) The exemption applies if—
(a)the digital requirements applied to the person in respect of each of the three previous tax years; and
(b)the person’s qualifying income for each of those three tax years was not more than [F61£30,000].
(4) A person’s qualifying income for a tax year is—
(a)the sum of the amounts of income, before any deductions, which, for each business carried on by the person in that tax year, are included in that person’s return under section 8 of TMA 1970 for that tax year; or
(b)where the tax year has ended but the filing deadline for the tax year has not passed, so much of the amounts of income, before any deductions, as are included in the quarterly updates for that tax year for each business carried on by the person.
(5) The filing deadline in relation to a tax year is the date on or before which the person is required to comply with a notice to file under section 8 of TMA 1970.
(6) If a person’s qualifying income for a tax year is in respect of a period of other than 12 months, the qualifying income must be adjusted proportionately on a time basis, or, if it appears that that method would work unreasonably or unjustly, on a just and reasonable basis.
Textual Amendments
F60Reg. 22(2) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 20(a)
F61Sum in reg. 22(3)(b) substituted (14.3.2024) by The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 20(b)
Commencement Information
I14Reg. 22 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
F6223. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F62Reg. 23 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 21
Prospective
24. The digital requirements do not apply to a company which is chargeable to tax under Part 3 of ITTOIA 2005.
Commencement Information
I15Reg. 24 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
25.—(1) The digital requirements do not apply to a person acting as a trustee.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a trustee includes an executor or administrator who is liable to income tax under section 74(1) of TMA 1970.
Commencement Information
I16Reg. 25 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Prospective
26.—(1) The digital requirements do not apply to a person in respect of that person’s foreign businesses for a tax year in which the person is not domiciled in the United Kingdom.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person’s foreign businesses are—
(a)that person’s overseas property business within the meaning of section 265 of ITTOIA 2005; and
(b)any trade, profession or vocation carried on by that person outside the United Kingdom.
(3) Where a person carries on a trade, profession or vocation partly in the United Kingdom and partly outside the United Kingdom, the part carried on outside the United Kingdom is a foreign business for the purposes of paragraph (1), but the part that is carried on in the United Kingdom is not.
(4) Section 835BA (deemed domicile)(9) of ITA 2007(10) applies for the purposes of this regulation.
Commencement Information
I17Reg. 26 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
26A.—(1) The digital requirements do not apply to a person in respect of that person’s provision of qualifying care.
(2) “Provision of qualifying care” has the same meaning as in Chapter 2 of Part 7 of ITTOIA 2005.]
Textual Amendments
26B.—(1) The digital requirements do not apply to a person for a tax year if on 31st January before the start of that tax year the person did not have a national insurance number.
(2) “National insurance number” means the national insurance number allocated within the meaning of regulation 9 of the Social Security (Crediting and Treatment of Contributions, and National Insurance Numbers) Regulations 2001.]
Textual Amendments
Prospective
Textual Amendments
F64Pt. 9 omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 23
F6427. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prospective
28.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to a notice which may be made, or which may be required to be made, by a person under any of the following regulations—
[F65(za)6(1)(d);
(zb)6(3);]
(a)7(11);
(b)7(12);
(c)9(3);
F66(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F66(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F66(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(g)20(1)(b);
(h)20(5);
F67(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F67(j). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Such a notice must be made in such form and provided in accordance with such method, including electronic, as the Commissioners may specify from time to time.
Textual Amendments
F65Reg. 28(1)(za)(zb) inserted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 24(a)
F66Regs. 28(1)(d)-(f) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 24(b)
F67Reg. 28(1)(i)(j) omitted (14.3.2024) by virtue of The Income Tax (Digital Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/167), regs. 1, 24(b)
Commencement Information
I18Reg. 28 in force at 6.4.2026 (as amended by S.I. 2024/167, reg. 3), see reg. 1
Justin Holliday
Joanna Rowland
Two of the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
At 9.22 a.m. on 23rd September 2021
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations make provision under Schedule A1 of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (c. 9) (“TMA 1970”) for digital reporting and record keeping in relation to income tax.
Part 1 contains general provisions. Regulation 1 provides for citation and commencement. Regulation 2 is an interpretation provision. Regulation 3 defines “digital requirements” and “functional compatible software” and imposes a requirement on relevant persons to use functional compatible software to comply with the digital requirements. “Relevant person” is defined in regulation 2. Regulation 4 makes provision for a “digital start date” in relation to a business.
Part 2 makes provision in relation to digital records. Regulation 5 imposes a requirement on relevant persons to keep digital records for businesses for a period specified by reference to the business’ digital start date. Regulation 6 defines “digital records”.
Part 3 makes provision for quarterly updates. Regulation 7 imposes a requirement on relevant persons to provide update information in relation to a business to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) for periods of three months (“quarterly periods”), known as “quarterly updates”, and provides deadlines for doing so. Regulation 8 allows the Commissioners for HMRC (“the Commissioners”) to make an “update notice” specifying the information to be included in quarterly updates. Regulation 9 provides for the commencement and cessation of the requirement to provide quarterly updates, which are specified by reference to a business’ digital start date and cessation date. Regulation 10 makes provision for circumstances in which an update may be provided before the end of the quarterly period to which it relates.
Part 4 makes provision for end of period statements. “End of period statement” is defined in paragraph 8 of Schedule A1 to TMA 1970 (“Schedule A1”). Regulation 11 imposes a requirement on a relevant person to provide an end of period statement in relation to each relevant period. “Relevant period” is defined in paragraph 8(2) of Schedule A1. Regulation 12 allows the Commissioners to make an “end of period notice” specifying the information to be included in end of period statements. Regulation 13 sets out the information which may be specified. Regulation 14 provides for commencement and cessation of the requirements to provide end of period notices, which are specified by reference to a business’ digital start date and cessation date.
Part 5 makes provision in relation to the retail sales of retailers. Regulation 15 allows a “retailer”, which is defined in regulation 2, to elect in relation to each tax year to retain the digital records specified in a “retail sales notice” rather than the digital records specified in regulation 6. Regulation 16 allows the Commissioners to make a retail sales notice.
Part 6 makes provision in relation to corrections and omissions. Regulation 17 imposes an obligation to correct digital records where a relevant person discovers an error or omission in them, and to provide corrected information to HMRC in certain circumstances. Regulation 18 allows a relevant person to amend an end of period statement within a specified period. Regulation 19 allows HMRC to amend an end of period statement within a specified period so as to correct it, and requires HMRC to give notice to the relevant person where they do so.
Part 7 makes provision for an exemption for the digitally excluded. “Digitally excluded” is defined in paragraph 14 of Schedule A1. Regulation 20 provides that the digital requirements do not apply to a person in respect of a tax year if the person gives notice to HMRC that they are digitally excluded and the Commissioners confirm they are satisfied that the person is digitally excluded.
Part 8 makes provision for other exemptions. Regulation 21 provides an exemption based on income for relevant persons to whom the digital requirements did not apply in respect of the previous tax year. Regulation 22 provides an exemption based on income for relevant persons to whom the digital requirements applied for the previous three tax years. Regulation 23 makes provision for elections under regulations 21 and 22. Regulation 24 provides that the digital requirements do not apply to companies chargeable to tax under Part 3 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5). Regulation 25 provides that the digital requirements do not apply to a person acting as a trustee. Regulation 26 provides that the digital requirements do not apply to a person for a tax year in which that person is not domiciled in the UK in respect of their “foreign businesses”. Regulation 26 also defines “foreign businesses”.
Part 9 (regulation 27) makes provision in relation to elections for Schedule A1 to apply under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule A1.
Part 10 (regulation 28) makes provision in relation to notices which may be made by a person under these Regulations.
A Tax Information and Impact Note covering this instrument will be published on the website at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-information-and-impact-notes-tiins.
1970 c. 9. Schedule A1 was inserted by section 60 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32).
“ITTOIA 2005” is defined in section 118 of TMA 1970. That definition was inserted by paragraphs 357 and 380 of Schedule 1 to the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5).
Section 12B was inserted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 19 to the Finance Act 1994 (c. 9). Section 12B(1A) was inserted by paragraphs 1 and 14 of Schedule 14 to the Finance (No. 2) Act 2017.
Section 8 was substituted by section 90(1) and (5) of Finance Act 1990 (c. 29). Section 8(1AB) was inserted by paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 14 to the Finance (No. 2) Act 2017. See also section 8(1AC)(b)(ii) of TMA 1970 and paragraph 9 of Schedule A1.
“Business” is defined in paragraph 6 of Schedule A1.
Paragraph 14(2) to (4) of Schedule A1 gives the meaning of “digitally excluded”.
References to a return under section 8 of TMA 1970 are defined in subsection (7) of that section; that subsection was inserted by paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 14 to the Finance (No. 2) Act 2017.
Section 835BA was inserted by section 29(1) of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2017.
“ITA 2007” is defined in section 118 of TMA 1970. That definition was inserted by paragraphs 242 and 263 of Schedule 1 to the Income Tax Act 2007 (c. 3).
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