BHA Tax and Accountancy Patron Suppliers Vantis have written a very helpful document detailing the new HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) flexibility on tax payment deadlines.

Senior tax manager, David Jenkins, from Vantis' Hospitality Group, has rounded up the new flexible arrangements for members, explaining the shift and advising on how to best defer or spread your payments. David explains; "HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has introduced flexible arrangements to pay off tax liabilities. This applies to Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax, PAYE, National Insurance, and VAT. The service is primarily available to businesses, but HMRC will entertain applications for personal liabilities as well. In order to qualify, there must be a genuine inability to pay the tax on the due date but, importantly, a credible plan to pay it over a fixed period of time."

The business support line can be accessed here. When calling the support line to try and agree to defer or spread your payments, you will need to have the following information to hand:

* Your tax reference number; * a reasonably precise request of what you require; and

* basic details of the business cash flow or if a personal liability your income and outgoings. In most cases, HMRC states that it should be able to give you a decision in approximately 10 minutes. For larger payment debts (i.e. in excess of £50,000) and those that are more complicated, the support line will need to refer your case to your local collection office who will contact you within four working days. A longer, more detailed discussion will then probably be required so the proposal can be evaluated.

If you arrange to defer your tax payments via this service, HMRC will not charge late payment surcharges on the unpaid tax, if the agreement is entered into before the surcharges arise (provided the terms of the agreement are followed), but interest will continue to accrue. For VAT purposes, entering into a payment agreement with HMRC will not be treated as a default and so it will not extend the twelve month rolling period nor will the default percentage increase, again provided the terms of the agreement are adhered to. If you do need to defer your tax payments we would suggest contacting the support line as soon as possible especially as it is likely to get busier in the days leading up to the 31 January self-assessment payment deadline.

For further information or assistance please contact David Jenkins, Senior Tax Manager at Vantis directly by clicking here or alternatively visit the Vantis Hospitality Group website.