HMRC calls for test to the public beta of the Business Tax Account
08 August 2017
With thanks to Colin Broad secretary of BCS Payroll Specialist Group for his summary.
HMRC is particularly keen that it’s tested on the more complex accounts, as simple accounts are unlikely to manifest issues to the same degree.
The roll-out plan is as follows, but this will depend on initial feedback from users:
- 1% week commencing 14 August 2017
- 25% week commencing 21 August 2017
- 50% week commencing 28 August 2017
- 75% week commencing 4 September 2017
- 100% week commencing 11 September 2017
What this means is that next week a random 1% of users will be presented with the new screens and asked to give feedback (there will be a link to the old screens should they experience issues with the new).
A further point to note is that this testing is on customer accounts only, so the agent services screens will remain in the old style for a while longer. Agent and client data may therefore differ according to which account they are looking at because the new screens are pulling information from the live back end system, whereas the old portal is an overnight batch process.
HMRC apologises for any inconvenience this causes; the plan is to align the two services as soon as the new product has been proven.
If you would like to feed back any comments or views you have of your experience with testing of the Business Tax Account please email policy.