New interactive tool for transition period profit reporting published
If you are a sole trader, or a partner, reporting your profits could be more complicated this year due to the basis period reform. How can a new online tool help?
For 2023/24, basis period reform will start to kick in - meaning unincorporated businesses that have a different accounting period to the tax year must report profits from the end of the previous accounting date in 2022/2023 up to 5 April 2024 (or 31 March), with the additional profit (after overlap relief) being "transitional" profit. Due to the change, the transitional profit will be automatically spread over five tax years.
HMRC has now launched an online calculator to help you work out the transitional profit, to enable you to complete the tax return correctly. Although the deadline to submit your tax return seems to be a long way off, it may be better to run the calculations sooner rather than later in case the transitional profit has a bigger impact on your tax bill than you are expecting.
If you are unsure of what your overlap relief figure is, contact HMRC to request it. As there are a backlog of requests it would again be sensible to request this figure sooner rather than later to avoid potential delays closer to the filing deadline.
Related Topics
-
Tribunal rejects reliance on adviser as reasonable excuse
A recent First-tier Tribunal decision has confirmed that relying on an accountant does not automatically amount to a reasonable excuse for missing a self-assessment deadline. The case highlights the limits of delegating tax responsibilities. What does this mean in practice?
-
HMRC issues new wave of offshore “nudge” letters
HMRC has issued a further round of “nudge” letters targeting individuals it believes may have undeclared offshore income or gains. The letters form part of HMRC’s ongoing use of data from international information exchange agreements. What should you do if you receive one?
-
Payroll changes for 2026/27
As the end of 2025/26 draws closer, HMRC has published a raft of updates and reminders for employers. Which changes do you need to be aware of that might impact your payroll in 2026/27?





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.