Messy bookkeeping will be exposed by new tax rules warns Telford expert
Telford business owners are being warned that poor record-keeping will soon have nowhere to hide.
A leading Shropshire accountancy firm says new tax reporting changes will put small traders and landlords under intense pressure. Helen Columb, from Telford-based Turas, says the switch to digital records in April will expose those with sloppy books.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is one of the biggest changes to the UK tax system in a generation. It requires the self-employed and landlords to keep digital records. They must also submit quarterly updates to HMRC using approved software.
Helen says many people underestimate how much more HMRC will be able to see.
“The new system will give HMRC near real‑time insight into income patterns, making sloppy record‑keeping a serious risk,” Helen explained. “MTD isn’t just a new way of filing tax returns, it’s a new level of scrutiny.”
From this April, anyone with a qualifying income over £50,000 must join MTD for Income Tax. This threshold will drop to £30,000 in 2027 and £20,000 in 2028.
Helen says the biggest risk is complacency. She warns that “making do” with messy books will no longer work.
“Quarterly reporting means HMRC will see your numbers far more frequently and any inconsistencies, gaps or unusual patterns will stand out immediately,” she added. “If your bookkeeping isn’t up to scratch, now is the time to fix it. Burying your head in the sand and hoping you can do it all later is a recipe for trouble.”
Turas Accountants, based at Hall Court in Telford Town Centre, is advising businesses to:
- Move to MTD‑compatible software as soon as possible.
- Keep digital records consistently throughout the year.
- Stop relying on estimates or late data entry.
- Get help now if bookkeeping is currently disorganised.
The firm started in 2013 as Columb & Gosling Accountants before rebranding as Turas six years ago.
Helen concluded: “Those that don’t prepare early could face penalties, stress and unwelcome attention from HMRC.”
