iXBRL was introduced for all company tax returns, accounts and computations being filed on or after 1 April 2011 for accounting periods ending on or after 31 March 2010.

Recently a member contacted us who was experiencing difficulties converting Credit Union accounts prepared using SAGE so that they could be tagged and filed online. We advised the member to contact HMRC to discuss this specific scenario as we were aware that whilst the circumstances whereby accounts did not have to be tagged using iXBRL were extremely limited, HMRC guidance at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ct/ct-online/file-return/switching.htm#3 did suggest that they were willing to consider other exceptions.

We are pleased to advise that HMRC confirmed to the member that because the accounts of the Credit Unions concerned are prepared under the provisions of the Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, the accounts do not require tagging and can be submitted in pdf format, however the relevant CT600 and tax computations must still be in iXBRL.

Before other members seek to use this exception we would first recommend that you contact the HMRC office to which the company tax returns are filed to confirm the position. We would also recommend if you have any other exceptional company accounts which could present difficulty in tagging that you contact HMRC well in advance of the filing date to discuss whether these can also be excepted.

We would also be most interested if members who have already successfully applied for and received exemption from iXBRL accounts filing contact us to advise the specific scenarios involved so that all our members can be appropriately informed.