HMRC delays new VAT penalty rules
The first step towards alignment of VAT and direct tax penalties was due to take place in just two months but yesterday the government announced a delay. What’s the full story?
HMRC’s original timetable for the harmonisation of its late filing penalty and late payment interest regimes across most direct and indirect taxes was due to start on 1 April 2022 with the scrapping of the VAT surcharge rules. Following the announcement by the Treasury on 13 January this has been put back by nine months until 1 January 2023.
When the new rules take effect late filing penalties will be charged using a points system. Points will be added to a taxpayer’s record for each late filing and penalties will escalate the more points are racked up. For late payments there will be varying charges according to how late each payment is.
HMRC’s updated guidance about the new penalty and interest rules can be viewed here and here.
Related Topics
-
HMRC reminds employers to check tax codes at start of new tax year
HMRC is reminding employers to review PAYE coding notices as the 2026/27 tax year gets underway. With new tax codes now in operation, what should you be looking out for?
-
Salary v dividends in 2026/27
Dividend tax rates have increased by 2% for 2026/27. Add that on to the other recent tax hikes and it starts to look very expensive to run a company. Is the combination of a low salary topped up with dividends still tax efficient?
-
Practical guide: Incorporating a property business
An individual with a significant property portfolio is considering incorporating their business. What are the key considerations and are there any traps to avoid or tax planning opportunities?

This website uses both its own and third-party cookies to analyze our services and navigation on our website in order to improve its contents (analytical purposes: measure visits and sources of web traffic). The legal basis is the consent of the user, except in the case of basic cookies, which are essential to navigate this website.