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Accountancy firm Azets is creating 15 jobs at its Stockport office as the site becomes a dedicated hub for the Making Tax Digital (MTD) roll-out.
The recruitment drive follows the implementation of MTD for income tax by HMRC. The office currently employs more than 100 people and supports regional operations across the North West.
Under current rules, landlords and the self-employed with a gross income above £50,000 must comply with digital record-keeping. This threshold drops to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028.
HMRC data indicates the overhaul affects 864,000 individuals nationally. This figure is expected to rise to 2.9 million within three years as the phased implementation continues.
The scheme aims to close the gap between tax owed and paid by moving toward real-time reporting. Taxpayers must now provide quarterly updates and a final declaration using compatible software.
New penalties have been introduced for non-compliance. HMRC will apply one penalty point for each late return, with a £200 fine triggered once a taxpayer reaches two points.
Regional managing director Susanna Cassey said: “Our Stockport office is becoming an MTD hub for businesses and individuals as we support them with the HMRC compliance regime, which includes keeping digital records, using MTD-compatible software and submitting quarterly updates, as well as a final declaration.
“A recent online poll of business in the UK by Azets showed that most companies are not prepared for MTD, even though it is an operational reality from now for those with qualifying income of above £50,000. With the roll-out, and demand from clients, we have job vacancies for 15 people in relation to MTD.”
Cassey added: “MTD is the most significant overhaul of the tax system since the introduction of self-assessment decades ago and it is clear from the Azets poll, and what we are hearing on the ground, that a lot of people, such as landlords and trades, will require professional support in completing compliant returns.”
