This is a new place for discussing the UK government's Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative. In particular how we as a community can continue to file our taxes freely in terms of both:
We are starting some 'wiki' posts that will answer the main questions and be continually updated from your comments:
Disclaimer: we are not experts and cannot guarantee accuracy here. Always seek your own financial advice.
Our banner is in the public domain and titled "G. Reisch, Margarita philosophica" from the Wellcome Collection (source) It's a medieval illustration showing a woman sitting at a counting table and a man at another table using an abacus.
Absolutely.
"Make Tax Digital". That's fine - mine has been digital for years. I do my accounts in a spreadsheet (digitally) and at the end of the year I add them up (digitally), and fill in my tax return on the HMRC Website (digitally).
I work out my income and expenses. I send it to HMRC.
Why do I need an extra 3rd company party in the middle? Why should I pay money or give all my personal and account information to a dodgy criminal company, so they can in turn pass it on to HMRC?
Great questions and I agree the word 'digital' is doing a lot of work in the phrase 'making tax digital'