Special rules if accounting date changes

214 When a change of accounting date occurs

(1) If there is a change from one accounting date (“the old accounting date”) to another accounting date (“the new accounting date”), the change of accounting date occurs—

(a) in the first tax year in which accounts are drawn up to the new accounting date, or

(b) if earlier, in the first tax year in which accounts are not drawn up to the old accounting date.

(2) A change from a date determined under section 211 to an actual accounting date is taken to be a change from one accounting date to another, even if the two dates are the same.

(3) If, because of subsection (1)(b), a change of accounting date occurs in a tax year in which there is no actual accounting date, the date corresponding to the new accounting date is treated as the accounting date in that tax year for the purpose of determining—

(a) the basis period for that tax year, and

(b) if section 219 applies, the basis period for the following tax year.

215 Change of accounting date in third tax year

(1) This section applies if—

(a) a change of accounting date occurs in the third tax year in which a person carries on a trade,

(b) the person does not permanently cease to carry on the trade in that tax year, and

(c) the accounting date in that tax year falls more than 12 months after the end of the basis period for the second tax year in which the person carries on the trade.

(2) The basis period—

(a) begins immediately after the end of the basis period for the second tax year in which the person carries on the trade, and

(b) ends with the accounting date in the third tax year in which the person carries on the trade.

216 Change of accounting date in later tax year

(1) This section applies if—

(a) a change of accounting date occurs in a tax year in which a person carries on a trade,

(b) the tax year is later than the third tax year in which the person carries on the trade, and

(c) the person does not permanently cease to carry on the trade in the tax year.

(2) If—

(a) the conditions in section 217 are met (conditions for basis period to end with new accounting date), and

(b) the new accounting date falls less than 12 months after the end of the basis period for the previous tax year,

the basis period is that given by the general rule in section 198.

(3) If—

(a) the conditions in section 217 are met, and

(b) the new accounting date falls more than 12 months after the end of the basis period for the previous tax year,

the basis period begins immediately after the end of the basis period for the previous tax year and ends with the accounting date.

(4) If the conditions in section 217 are not met, the basis period for the tax year is the period of 12 months ending with the old accounting date.

217 Conditions for basis period to end with new accounting date

(1) The conditions in this section are met if—

(a) the person carrying on the trade gives appropriate notice of the change of accounting date to the Inland Revenue (see subsection (2)),

(b) the 18 month test is met (see subsection (3)), and

(c) either condition A or B is met (see subsections (4) to (6)).

(2) Appropriate notice of the change of accounting date is given to the Inland Revenue if (and only if) the notice is given—

(a) in a return under the provision of TMA 1970 that applies to the person carrying on a trade (see section 8, 8A or 12AA of that Act), and

(b) on or before the day on which the return is required to be made and delivered under that provision.

(3) The 18 month test is met if the period of account ending—

(a) with the new accounting date in the tax year in which the change of accounting date occurs, or

(b) if there is no new accounting date in that tax year, with the new accounting date in the first tax year in which accounts are drawn up to the new accounting date,

is not longer than 18 months.

(4) Condition A is that, in the 5 tax years immediately before the tax year in which the change of accounting date occurs, there has been no change of accounting date that counts for the purposes of this condition.

(5) A change of accounting date counts for the purposes of condition A if it results in the basis period for the tax year in which the change occurs ending with the accounting date in that tax year.

(6) Condition B is that—

(a) the change of accounting date is made for commercial reasons (see section 218), and

(b) the notice under subsection (2) sets out the reasons for the change.

218 Commercial reasons for change of accounting date

(1) If the Inland Revenue do not give notice under this section to the person carrying on the trade, a change of accounting date is treated for the purposes of condition B in section 217 as made for commercial reasons.

(2) If the Inland Revenue do give notice under this section to the person carrying on the trade, a change of accounting date is treated for the purposes of condition B in section 217 as made for reasons which are not commercial.

(3) The notice must—

(a) state that the Inland Revenue are not satisfied that the change of accounting date is made for commercial reasons, and

(b) be given within the period of 60 days beginning with the date on which the notice under section 217(2) is received.

(4) A person to whom notice is given under this section may appeal against it within the period of 30 days beginning with the date on which it is given.

(5) On an appeal—

(a) if the Commissioners are satisfied that the change is made for commercial reasons, they may set aside the notice, and

(b) if they are not satisfied that the change is made for commercial reasons, they may confirm the notice.

(6) For the purposes of this section obtaining a tax advantage is not a commercial reason.

(7) Part 5 of TMA 1970 (appeals against assessments to tax), apart from section 50, applies in relation to an appeal under this section as it applies in relation to an appeal against an assessment to tax.

219 The year after an ineffective change of accounting date

(1) This section applies to a tax year in which a person carries on a trade if—

(a) the tax year falls immediately after a tax year in which a change of accounting date occurs, and

(b) the basis period for the tax year in which the change occurs ends with the old accounting date.

(2) If the accounting date in the tax year is the new accounting date, a change of accounting date is treated as occurring in that tax year for the purposes of sections 216 to 220 (including this section).

(3) If the accounting date in the tax year reverts to the old accounting date, that change of accounting date is ignored for the purposes of—

(a) section 214, and

(b) sections 216 to 220 (including this section).

220 Deduction for overlap profit on change of accounting date

(1) This section applies for the purpose of calculating the profits of a trade of a tax year if—

(a) a change of accounting date occurs in the tax year, and

(b) the basis period for the tax year is longer than 12 months.

(2) A deduction must be made for overlap profit.

(3) The amount of the deduction is calculated as follows.

Step 1

Add together the overlap profit arising in all overlap periods ending before the end of the tax year.

Step 2

Subtract from that any deductions made under this section for previous tax years.

The balance is “the remaining overlap profit”.

Step 3

Add together the number of days in all overlap periods ending before the end of the tax year.

Subtract from that the total number of days given by Step 5 on any previous occasions on which a deduction was made under this section.

The balance is “the number of days on which the remaining overlap profit arises”.

Step 4

Divide the remaining overlap profit by the number of days on which the remaining overlap profit arises.

The result of this step is “one day’s worth of remaining overlap profit”.

Step 5

Subtract the number of days in the tax year from the number of days in the basis period.

The balance is “the number of days' worth of overlap profit that may be deducted on this occasion”.

Step 6

Multiply one day’s worth of remaining overlap profit (see Step 4) by the number of days' worth of overlap profit that may be deducted on this occasion (see Step 5).

The result of this step is the amount of the deduction.

(4) The above steps are expressed in terms of numbers of days in periods, but the person carrying on the trade may use a different way of measuring the length of the periods concerned if—

(a) it is reasonable to do so, and

(b) the way of measuring the length of periods is used consistently for the purposes of the trade.

(5) If the accounting date in the tax year is 31st March or 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th April, the person carrying on the trade may treat the basis period for the tax year as ending on 5th April for the purpose of calculating the amount of the deduction.

(6) If a period used in calculating the amount of the deduction contains a 29th February and—

(a) the accounting date in the tax year is 5th April, or

(b) the basis period for the tax year is treated under subsection (5) as ending on 5th April,

the person carrying on the trade may ignore the 29th February for the purpose of calculating the amount of the deduction.

Chapter 16 Averaging profits of farmers and creative artists

221 Claim for averaging of fluctuating profits

(1) This Chapter enables an individual (a “taxpayer”) to make a claim (an “averaging claim”) if—

(a) the taxpayer is, or has been, carrying on a qualifying trade, profession or vocation (alone or in partnership), and

(b) the taxpayer’s profits from it (“the relevant profits”) fluctuate from one tax year to the next.

(2) A trade, profession or vocation is a “qualifying trade, profession or vocation” if—

(a) it is farming or market gardening in the United Kingdom,

(b) it is the intensive rearing in the United Kingdom of livestock or fish on a commercial basis for the production of food for human consumption, or

(c) the taxpayer’s profits from it are derived wholly or mainly from creative works.

(3) For this purpose “creative works” means—

(a) literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, or

(b) designs,

created by the taxpayer personally or, if the qualifying trade, profession or vocation is carried on in partnership, by one or more of the partners personally.

(4) For the purposes of this Chapter references to the relevant profits of a tax year are to profits before making any deduction for a loss made in any tax year.

(5) If the taxpayer makes a loss in the qualifying trade, profession or vocation in a tax year, the relevant profits of the tax year for the purposes of this Chapter are nil.

222 Circumstances in which claim may be made

(1) An averaging claim may be made in relation to two consecutive tax years in which a taxpayer is or has been carrying on the qualifying trade, profession or vocation if—

(a) the relevant profits of one of the tax years are less than 75% of the relevant profits of the other tax year, or

(b) the relevant profits of one (but not both) of the tax years are nil.

(2) An averaging claim may be made in relation to a tax year which was the later year on a previous averaging claim.

(3) An averaging claim may not be made in relation to a tax year if an averaging claim has already been made in relation to a later tax year in respect of the trade, profession or vocation.

(4) An averaging claim may not be made in relation to the tax year in which—

(a) the taxpayer starts, or permanently ceases, to carry on the trade, profession or vocation, or

(b) in the case of a trade, profession or vocation within section 221(2)(c), it begins or ceases to be a qualifying trade, profession or vocation.

(5) An averaging claim must be made on or before the first anniversary of the normal self-assessment filing date for the second of the tax years to which the claim relates.

(6) But see section 225(4) (extended time limit if profits adjusted for some other reason).

223 Adjustment of profits

(1) If a taxpayer makes an averaging claim, the amount taken to be the taxpayer’s profits of each of the tax years for which the claim is made is adjusted in accordance with this section.

(2) But this is subject to paragraph 3 of Schedule 1B to TMA 1970 (claim given effect in the second of the two tax years).

(3) If—

(a) the relevant profits of one of the tax years are 70% or less of the relevant profits of the other tax year, or

(b) the relevant profits of one (but not both) of the tax years are nil,

the amount of the adjusted profits of each of the tax years is the average of the relevant profits of the two tax years.

(4) If the relevant profits of one of the tax years—

(a) are more than 70%, but

(b) are less than 75%,

of the relevant profits of the other tax year, the amount of the adjusted profits of each of the tax years is calculated as follows, so as to reduce the variation between them.

Step 1

Calculate the amount of the adjustment by applying the formula—

Step 2

Add the amount of the adjustment to the relevant profits of the tax year of which those profits are lower.

The result is the amount of the adjusted profits of that tax year.

Step 3

Subtract the amount of the adjustment from the relevant profits of the tax year of which those profits are higher.

The result is the amount of the adjusted profits of that tax year.

224 Effect of adjustment

(1) The adjusted profits are taken to be the relevant profits of the tax years to which the claim relates for all income tax purposes, including the further application of this Chapter.

(2) This is subject to—

(a) subsection (3) of this section and section 225(2), and

(b) paragraph 3 of Schedule 1B to TMA 1970.

(3) If the relevant profits of one of the tax years are nil, this Chapter does not prevent the taxpayer from obtaining relief under the Income Tax Acts for a loss made by the taxpayer in the tax year in question or any other tax year.

(4) A claim by the taxpayer for relief under any other provision of the Income Tax Acts for either of the tax years to which an averaging claim relates (“the other claim”)—

(a) is not out of time if made on or before the last date on which the averaging claim could have been made, and

(b) if already made, may be amended or revoked on or before that date.

(5) For this purpose—

(a) references to a claim include an election or notice, and

(b) if the other claim is made in a return, the reference to amending or revoking the other claim is to amending the return by amending or omitting the other claim.

(6) For provision determining in which tax year a claim, amendment or revocation made as a result of subsection (4) has effect, see paragraph 4 of Schedule 1B to TMA 1970 (claim, amendment or revocation given effect in the second of the two tax years).

225 Effect of later adjustment of profits

(1) This section applies if, after the taxpayer has made an averaging claim, the relevant profits in either or both of the tax years to which the claim relates are adjusted for another reason.

(2) The averaging claim is ignored.

(3) But this does not prevent a further averaging claim from being made in relation to the taxpayer’s profits as adjusted for the other reason.

(4) A further averaging claim is not out of time as long as it is made on or before the first anniversary of the normal self-assessment filing date for the tax year in which the adjustment for the other reason is made.

Chapter 17 Adjustment income

Introduction

226 Professions and vocations

The provisions of this Chapter apply to professions and vocations as they apply to trades.

Adjustment on change of basis

227 Application of Chapter

(1) This Chapter applies if—

(a) a person carrying on a trade changes, from one period of account to the next, the basis on which profits of the trade are calculated for income tax purposes,

(b) the old basis accorded with the law or practice applicable in relation to the period of account before the change, and

(c) the new basis accords with the law and practice applicable in relation to the period of account after the change,

but does not apply to income which is charged in accordance with section 832 (relevant foreign income charged on the remittance basis).

(2) The practice applicable in any case means the accepted practice in cases of that description as to how profits of a trade should be calculated for income tax purposes.

(3) A person changes the basis on which profits of a trade are calculated for income tax purposes if the person makes—

(a) a relevant change of accounting approach (see subsection (4)), or

(b) a change in the tax adjustments applied (see subsections (5) and (6)).

(4) A “relevant change of accounting approach” means a change of accounting principle or practice that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice, gives rise to a prior period adjustment.

(5) A “tax adjustment” means any adjustment required or authorised by law in calculating profits of a trade for income tax purposes.

(6) A “change in the tax adjustments applied”—

(a) does not include a change made in order to comply with amending legislation not applicable to the previous period of account, but

(b) includes a change resulting from a change of view as to what is required or authorised by law or as to whether any adjustment is so required or authorised.

228 Adjustment income and adjustment expense

(1) An amount by way of adjustment must be calculated in accordance with section 231.

(2) If the amount produced by the calculation is positive, it is treated as income and charged to income tax under this Chapter.

It is referred to in this Chapter as “adjustment income”.

(3) If the amount produced by the calculation is negative, a deduction is allowed for it in calculating the profits of the trade.

It is referred to in this Chapter as an “adjustment expense”.

(4) This section is subject to section 234 (no adjustment for certain expenses previously brought into account).

229 Income charged

(1) Tax is charged under this Chapter on the full amount of any adjustment income arising in the tax year.

(2) This is subject to—

(a) sections 237 to 239 (which provide for spreading of adjustment income), and

(b) Part 8 (foreign income: special rules).

230 Person liable

The person liable for any tax charged under this Chapter is the person receiving or entitled to the adjustment income.

231 Calculation of the adjustment

The amount of the adjustment is calculated as follows.

Step 1

Add together any amounts representing the extent to which, comparing the two bases, profits were understated (or losses overstated) on the old basis.

The amounts are—

Step 2

Then deduct any amounts representing the extent to which, comparing the two bases, profits were overstated (or losses understated) on the old basis.

The amounts are—

An amount so deducted may not be deducted again in calculating the profits of a period of account.

Treatment of adjustment income and adjustment expense

232 Treatment of adjustment income

(1) Adjustment income is treated as arising on the last day of the first period of account for which the new basis is adopted.

(2) But this is subject to sections 235 (cases where adjustment not required until assets realised or written off) and 236 (change from realisation basis to mark to market).

(3) Adjustment income is treated for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 10 of ICTA (loss relief) as profits of the trade for the tax year in which tax is charged on it.

(4) In the case of an individual whose income from the trade is—

(a) earned income within section 833(4)(c) of ICTA, or

(b) relevant UK earnings within section 189(2)(b) of FA 2004,

adjustment income is similarly earned income or relevant UK earnings.

233 Treatment of adjustment expense

(1) An adjustment expense is treated as an expense of the trade arising on the last day of the first period of account for which the new basis is adopted.

(2) But this is subject to sections 235 (cases where adjustment not required until assets realised or written off) and 236 (change from realisation basis to mark to market).

Expenses previously brought into account

234 No adjustment for certain expenses previously brought into account

(1) This section applies if, as a result of a change of basis, expenses brought into account before the change on the old basis would on the new basis be brought into account over more than one period of account after the change.

(2) In such a case—

(a) no adjustment is made under this Chapter, and

(b) in calculating the profits of the trade no deduction is allowed for the expenses for any period of account after the change.

Realising or writing off assets

235 Cases where adjustment not required until assets realised or written off

(1) This section applies if there is a change of basis resulting from a tax adjustment affecting the calculation of any of the following amounts.

(2) The amounts are—

(a) any amount brought into account in respect of closing trading stock or closing work in progress in the last period of account before the change of basis,

(b) any amount brought into account in respect of opening trading stock or opening work in progress in the first period of account on the new basis, and

(c) any amount brought into account in respect of depreciation.

(3) Adjustment income or (as the case may be) an adjustment expense is treated as arising only when the asset to which it relates is realised or written off.

Mark to market

236 Change from realisation basis to mark to market

(1) This section applies if there is a change of basis from—

(a) not recognising a profit or loss on an asset until the asset is realised, to

(b) bringing assets into account in each period of account at a fair value.

(2) So far as—

(a) a receipt within item 1 of step 1 in section 231 represents the fair value of an asset that is trading stock, or

(b) an expense within item 2 of that step relates to such an asset,

adjustment income or (as the case may be) an adjustment expense is treated as not arising until the period of account in which the value of the asset is realised.

(3) In the case of adjustment income, this is subject to any election under section 237 (election for spreading).

(4) In this section “trading stock” has the same meaning as in section 174.

237 Election for spreading if section 236 applies

(1) If section 236 applies, the person who is liable to tax on any adjustment income may elect for the adjustment income to be spread over 6 periods of account.

(2) The election must be made on or before the first anniversary of the normal self-assessment filing date for the tax year in which the change of basis occurs.

(3) If an election is made, an amount equal to one-sixth of the amount of the adjustment income—

(a) is treated as arising, and

(b) is charged to tax,

in each of the 6 periods of account beginning with the first period to which the new basis applies.

(4) But if, before the whole of the adjustment income has been charged to tax, the person permanently ceases to carry on the trade, the whole of the amount so far as not previously brought into charge to tax—

(a) is treated as arising, and

(b) is charged to tax,

immediately before the cessation.