Overlap relief calculator launched

The 2023/24 self-assessment tax returns need to be filed by 31 January 2025, but, for partners and sole traders a little extra work may be necessary. Any overlap relief brought forward from earlier periods must be relieved in 2023/24 as this is the year that trading profits move from being assessed on basis periods to align with the tax year from 2024/25. Overlap relief was created in the early days of trading, where profits were taxed twice if the business drew accounts to a date other than 31 March/5April.

Retrieving the figure to use should be straightforward for most as, ordinarily, the overlap relief figure will be shown as overlap profit carried forward on previous tax returns. However, if not, the individual or their agent can use HMRC’s new online tool to work out their overlap relief figure.

HMRC may be able to provide the overlap relief figure if required but has requested that taxpayers and agents do so by 31 December 2024 to help it manage demand.