Another example of a new online process not being properly tested before it is rolled out.

Thanks for spotting my typo! I've corrected that.

Some good points well made there Philip, but I take issue with: "dual increase of 1.25% in the amount of NIC paid. "
No.
Its an increase of 1.25 percentage points: from 12% to 13.25% for employees, and 13.8% to 15.05% for employers. This is an increase in the amount paid of 10.4% for employees and 9% for employers.

The self employed suffer an increase in class 4 NIC from 9% to 10.25%, so a whopping 13.88% increase in the amount paid of class 4 NIC. These figures are only for the basic rate band of-course.

The rate applicable to unlimited higher band of class 1 and class 4 NIC jumps from 2% to 3.25%, that is an increase in the amount paid of 62.5%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The institutes are certainly NOT "bending over" . Look out for article coming soon reporting the joint representations made by five bodies to HM Treasury on this issue.

Its an absolute scandal that there is no independant checking of the word document which contains the tax and NI specification.
We need an independant Tax Software Standards body to check that the spec is in line with tax law, and that all the spreadsheets that software designers rely on also comply with tax law.
There have been numerous examples of where the tax software does not produce the legally correct answer, eg top slicing releif, losses set-off, the long list of exclusions from onlien filing for SA returns.
When MTD ITSA is mandated individuals and businesses will not be able to see how the tax is calculated, and this process will be entirely based on possibly faulty specifications. People will be taxed by a computer programmer and not by the law.

@DMBAcc I have put questions to HMRC , including about the change in basis periods creating the quarterly bunching for MTD. The answer I received was:

"We are asking for views on how to simplify things - nothing is set in stone yet. We've never fully stated how the reform will be implemented, just that we're seeking views to simplify things, which will then in turn determine MTD ITSA regulations."

So please add your voice to the consulation on basis periods as it seems (but doesn't state in the document) that this is also a consultation on how MTD ITSA should work . Responses should be sent to HMRC on or before 31 August 2021, by email to [email protected].

I've now added in the link to the case report.

It is legislation: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
To be passed in FA 2022.

You are correct the defintion for being within the off-payroll is not "small" as set out in ss381-384 Companies Act 2006. I'll change the text to make that clear.

Do we know which Agent dedicated helplines are being restrored, as there are at least 3 different numbers:
For Tax Credits: 0345 300 3943
For tax debts: 0300 200 3887
For SA and PAYE: 0300 200 3311