HMRC is reminding businesses that they will no longer be able to use their existing Value Added Tax (VAT) online account to submit VAT returns from 1 November.

By law, all VAT-registered businesses must now sign up to Making Tax Digital (MTD) and use compatible software to keep their VAT records and file their returns.

According to HMRC, more than 1.8 million businesses are already using the MTD for VAT service. Over 19 million returns have been successfully submitted through MTD-compatible software so far, the tax authority adds.

From November, businesses who file their VAT returns on a quarterly and monthly basis will no longer be able to submit them using their existing VAT online account, unless HMRC has agreed they are exempt from MTD.

If businesses do not file their VAT returns through MTD-compatible software, they may have to pay a penalty. Even if a business currently keeps digital records, they must check their software is MTD compatible and sign up for MTD before filing their next return.

Richard Fuller, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

‘MTD can help businesses get their tax right first time, which cuts the administration burden and frees up time for them to get on with what matters most to them – growing their business.’

Eight in ten small businesses are finding it difficult to recruit staff, according to a report published by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The FSB’s ‘Scaling up Skills’ report found that over 80% of small firms are flagging a lack of relevant qualifications, skills and experience among candidates as a problem, while 60% say a lack of applicants is also an issue.

More positively, five in six small employers provided training for themselves and/or their staff in the previous 12 months, with seven days of training and development per staff member on average.

Though critical to future sustainable growth, only a quarter of small employers say they have undertaken leadership and management training over the same period.

FSB Policy Chair, Tina McKenzie, said:

‘Our members tell us their growth potential is being held back by a lack of appropriately skilled staff, with vital roles going unfilled, ultimately harming the economy.

‘This skills and training deficit is a perennial issue, but far from an insoluble one. Our report sets out a roadmap for change on every level, from schools to apprenticeships to workplaces.’

HMRC will raise interest rates on tax debt from 11 October following the 0.5% increase in the base rate.

This means that the late payment interest rate will increase to 4.75% from 11 October 2022. The rate last increased to 4.25% on 23 August. This is the highest rate since the height of the financial crisis in January 2009.

Late payment interest is payable on late tax bills covering income tax, national insurance contributions (NICs), capital gains tax (CGT), Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT). The corporation tax self assessment rate also increases to 4.75%.

The repayment interest rate will also be increased from the current 0.75% repayment interest rate to 1.25%.

Corporation tax self assessment interest rates relating to interest charged on underpaid quarterly instalment payments rise to 3.25%, up from 2.75% from 3 October 2022 (with the higher rate above applying from the normal due date).

The interest paid on overpaid quarterly instalment payments and on early payments of corporation tax not due by instalments rises to 2% from 1.5% from 3 October 2022.

Wholesale energy prices for businesses will be capped at ‘less than half’ of the anticipated winter levels under the government’s support package.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme offers discounts for all firms for six months from 1 October.

Hospitals, schools and other settings such as community halls and churches will also get help.

Under the scheme, revealed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industry (BEIS), wholesale prices are expected to be fixed for all non-domestic energy customers at £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas.

Firms do not need to contact suppliers as the discount will automatically be applied to bills.

The scheme applies to fixed contracts agreed on or after 1 April and variable and flexible tariffs and contracts.

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, said:

‘This intervention is unprecedented and it is extremely welcome that government has listened to hospitality businesses facing an uncertain winter. We particularly welcome its inclusiveness – from the smallest companies to the largest – all of which combine to provide a huge number of jobs, which are now much more secure.

‘The government has recognised the vulnerability of hospitality as a sector, and we will continue to work with the government, to ensure that there is no cliff edge when these measures fall away.’

The announcement followed the launch of the Energy Price Guarantee for households. This will also cap the unit price of energy so that the typical UK household will now pay up to an average £2,500 a year on their energy bill for the next two years.

Speaking at the Mini Budget, Chancellor Kwarteng confirmed that the two schemes would cost a combined £60 billion for six months.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned the UK government against ‘large and untargeted fiscal packages’ following the Mini Budget.

The IMF stated that tax measures announced by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in the recent Mini Budget are likely to increase inequality.

On 23 September, the Chancellor used the Mini Budget to announce tax cuts worth over £40 billion. Amongst the measures unveiled was a reduction in the basic rate of income tax; the reversal of the 1.25% rise in national insurance contributions (NICs) that came in this year; and the scrapping of the planned rise in corporation tax to 25%.

The IMF stated that whilst it understands that the measures are intended to boost economic growth, it has concerns that the UK’s fiscal and monetary policies are working at ‘cross purposes’.

Commenting on the IMF’s warning, Lord Frost, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, said:

‘The IMF has consistently advocated highly conventional economic policies. It is following this approach that has produced years of slow growth and weak productivity.

‘The only way forward for Britain is lower taxes, spending restraint, and significant economic reform.’