COM130220 - Returns / notices: notices and returns: specified periods and return periods
A notice to deliver (Word 29KB) specifies a period for which a company must make a return. COTAX refers to this as the specified period (Word 27KB).
In most cases the specified period is an AP of the company and the company must make a return for that period.
The legislation relating to the period for which a return is required is contained in
- Para 5 Schedule 18 FA1998 for a CTSA return
And
- Section 11(2) TMA 1970 for a CT Pay and File return
The specified period may not coincide with an AP when
- A company changes its accounting date without notifying the HM Revenue & Customs office
And
- COTAX issues a notice based on the outdated information
In these circumstances, you will need to ascertain the period, or periods, for which a return is required by the notice.
There are four possible situations when this may arise
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 1
An AP does not coincide with the specified period but ends during or on the same day as the specified period.
The notice requires a return for any AP that ends during or on the same day as the specified period. A separate return is required for each AP.
| Specified period | 01/01/04 to 31/12/04 |
| Accounting Period 1 | 01/01/04 to 31/03/04 |
| Accounting Period 2 | 01/04/04 to 31/12/04 |
The notice requires a return for each AP.
Example 2
An AP begins, but does not end, during the specified period and the AP is preceded by a period that does not fall within an AP. This situation is most likely to arise with new companies where the specified period of 12 months begins on the day of incorporation, but the company does not commence trading until, say 6 months later.
In this situation the notice requires a return for the period beginning on the same day as the specified period, and ending on the day before the AP begins.
| Specified Period | 01/01/04 to 31/12/04 |
| Dormant Period | 01/01/04 to 30/06/04 |
| Accounting Period | 01/07/04 to 30/06/05 |
The notice requires a return for the period from 01/01/04 to 30/06/04, the start of the specified period to the end of the period of dormancy.
Example 3
There is no AP that begins or ends during the specified period. For example, when a company is dormant throughout.
In this situation the notice requires a return for the whole of the specified period
| Specified period | 01/01/04 to 31/12/04 |
| Dormant | 01/10/03 to 31/03/05 |
The notice requires a return for the period 01/01/04 to 31/12/04.
Example 4
The specified period begins and ends in the same AP. This can only happen when the period specified in the notice is for less than 12 months.
In this situation the notice has no effect and no return is required in respect of it.
| Specified period | 01/01/04 to 31/08/04 |
| Accounting period | 01/01/04 to 31/12/04 |
No return is required by the notice.
For legislation applying to this subject, see COM130012.
