HMRC moves goalposts for cheque payers

Cheque payments to HMRC now have to be sent in earlier to avoid penalties following a change of procedure by the taxman.
From the 1 April, cheque payments are not treated as received until the day the cheque clears, rather than when it arrives.
The change is another attempt by HMRC to encourage more tax payers to make electronic payments.
Rather than placing yourself in the hands of HMRC and relying on them to bank cheques promptly we recommend electronic payment methods are used as there are cash flow advantages too.