HMRC published a consultation that:

• looked at options for customers covered by the requirement for digital record-keeping to make and manage their voluntary payments
• considered how voluntary payments will be allocated across a customer’s different taxes
• explored the best way of dealing with the repayment of voluntary payments

It also broached the opportunity regular updating provides to make earlier repayments.

This consultation has now closed. More information on CTG’s position on the Making Tax Digital agenda can be found here.

Summary of key questions

1. Do you see any challenges with the voluntary payments process described? Do you think there are alternative options that should be considered, and if so, what are these?
2. Should there be a ‘period of grace’, and if so, what period would be appropriate to allow for separate payment of an amount becoming due?
3. Do you foresee any problems with HMRC’s intended approach to the allocation of voluntary payments?
4. Do you agree with a restriction on repayment shortly before a liability becomes due, and if so, what period or terms of restriction do you think should be put in place?
5. What are your views on how voluntary payments might work for partnerships? Do you think partners will see the convenience of direct payment towards their total liabilities as outweighing a loss of a limited amount of confidentiality?