COM1100 - Accounting periods: company accounting periods: new cases

When new cases are set up, COTAX creates Accounting Periods (APs) and periods of dormancy automatically using the information held. The following table sets out what APs are created using the different items of information available

Information held

AP records created

Date of incorporation only.

From the date of incorporation for 12 months and then from the day after the end of the above period to the accounting reference date.

Date of incorporation and date business commenced.

From the date of commencement of business for 12 months. Any period prior to the date business commenced is marked as dormant.

Date of incorporation, date business commenced and first intended accounting date.

From the date of commencement of business to the earlier of the expiry of 12 months or the first intended accounting date. Any period prior to the date business commenced is marked as dormant.

Example 1

Date of Event

COTAX Record

21/01/2023

Company incorporated

25/01/2023

Case record automatically set up on COTAX on receipt of data from Companies House

COTAX records:

AP1 as 21/01/2023 to 20/01/2024

AP2 as 21/01/2024 to 31/01/2024

01/09/2023

Information received showing

Business commenced 01/03/2023

First accounts will be to 31/12/2023

26/09/2023

Date of commencement and accounting date entered on COTAX.

COTAX updates the AP record to show

Period 21/01/2023 to 28/02/2023 (Dormant)

Period 01/03/2023 to 31/12/2023 (Live AP)

Example2

Date of Event

COTAX Record

21/01/2023

Company incorporated

25/01/2023

Case record automatically set up on COTAX on receipt of data from Companies House

COTAX records:

AP1 as 21/01/2023 to 20/01/2024

AP2 as 21/01/2024 to 31/01/2024

14/06/2023

Information received showing

Business commenced 01/02/2023

First accounts will be to 31/03/2024

22/06/2023

Date of commencement and accounting date entered on COTAX.

COTAX updates the AP record to show

Period 21/01/2023 to 31/01/2023 (Dormant)

Period 01/02/2023 to 31/01/2024 (Live AP)

Period 01/02/2024 to 31/03/2024 (Live AP)

COTAX accepts amendments to the ‘information held’ column above at any time. It applies the above rules unless any of the following apply:

  • function MAPD (Maintain AP Dates) has already been used
  • COTAX has issued a notice to deliver
  • COTAX has recorded a payment of tax
  • there is a logged return
  • a CTSA assessment has been recorded

In these cases, a screen message advises you that COTAX cannot amend the AP record automatically. You should use function MAPD escalate the case update the AP record accordingly. See COM1080 for more information.

See:

  • COM1041 for a list of forms relevant to this subject
  • COM1021 for a list of functions to use in particular situations
  • COM1022 for legislation applying to this subject