Carter Report Survey May 2006
Q: The Carter report recommends revised filing deadlines of either 30 September for SA paper returns or 30 November for SA on-line returns. Do you think that, if implemented, this recommendation would have a positive or negative impact on the clients you represent/the business you work for?
• The majority of ACCA members stated this change would have a negative impact on the clients they represent/the businesses they work for.
100 81 80
60 % 40
20 10 0 Positive Negative No impact Don't know
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
8 1
Q: In your opinion, if the filing period for tax returns is altered, will businesses move from March or 5th April year-ends, (even after any overlap relief cost)?
• The opinion of ACCA members is divided on whether businesses will alter their year-end dates.
100
80
60 % 40 44 41
20
15
0 Yes No Don't know
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
Q: In your opinion, what will be the impact of revised dates for filing on businesses engaged in seasonal trades, such as farming and tourism?
• Almost 60% of ACCA members stated that revised filing dates would have a negative impact on businesses involved in seasonal trades.
100
80
60 % 40
57
20 1 0 Positive Negative
20
22
No impact
Don't know
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
Q: Are you satisfied with HMRC’s current online filing facilities?
• Further research is needed in this area, although initial indications from ACCA members are that although it varies depending on the type of file being returned, the HMRC’s online filing facilities are unsatisfactory.
100
80
60 % 40 21 20 2 0 Yes No Depends on the return being filed Don't know Don't use 10 31 36
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
Q: Which statement below best represents your opinion of the following recommendation contained in the Carter report? “We recommend that the period that HMRC have to query SA tax returns and most company tax returns (the ‘enquiry window’) should be linked to the date that the return is submitted.”
100
80
77
• The majority of ACCA members stated they would welcome the change.
60 % 40 23 20
0 I welcome the recommendation I see no benefit in the recommended change
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
Q: The Carter report recommends that HMRC provides an agent registration scheme: “…This could enable potential clients to identify agents that are registered for and using HMRC online services. Agents that apply for the scheme could be required to abide by a Code of Practice.” (p.23). Qualified accountants already have established codes of ethics and conduct. In your opinion, who would benefit from such a scheme? (multiple response)
HMRC Unqualified accountants Business Qualified accountants Would not benefit anyone Others Don't know 0 5 8 20 40 % 60 80 100 15 34 30 29 57
• Almost 60% of ACCA members believe that HMRC will benefit.
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
Q: What is your opinion on the recommendation to compel newly registered traders, regardless of size, to file VAT returns and make payments electronically for accounting periods starting after 31 March 2008 (p.21)?
• 77% of ACCA members stated this was a bad policy, especially for businesses with a turnover of less than £5.6m.
100 80 60 % 40 20 0 A good policy for A good policy, but only for all new businesses with businesses an anticipated turnover above £5.6 million
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
40
37
16 6 A bad policy No opinion/Don't know
Q: What is your opinion on the recommendation to compel traders whose annual turnover is in excess of £100,000 to file VAT returns and make payments electronically for accounting periods starting after 31 March 2010 (p.21)?
• 75% of ACCA members stated this was a bad policy, with the need to review the £100,000 level of annual turnover.
100 80 60 % 40 20 0 A good policy for all businesses A good policy, but the annual turnover level recommendation is set too low at £100,000 A bad policy No opinion/Don't know 19 6 47 28
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
Q: What is your opinion on the recommendation that all Companies should file online corporation tax returns using XBRL (extensible business reporting language) and make any payment electronically for returns due after 31 March 2010 (p.21)?
• 77% of ACCA members stated this was inappropriate for all Companies/a bad policy.
100
80
60 % 40
51
26 20 16 7 0 A good policy for all Companies A good policy, but it's not appropriate for all Companies A bad policy No opinion/Don't know
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
Q: The report and Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment for Increasing Use of Online Services highlight that an increased use of online services will result in savings for all. Do you consider this statement to be …?
• 65% of ACCA members believed that only HMRC will make savings as a result of increased use of online services.
Incorrect - only HMRC will make savings Correct - business, agents and HMRC will all make savings
65
18
Incorrect - other reason
7
Incorrect - all will face greater costs
6
Don't know
4
0
Base: All those in public practice/professional services (383)
20
40 %
60
80
100