Commentary on Sections Overview Overview Section 214: When a change of accounting date occurs
871.This is the first in a group of seven sections dealing with changes of accounting date. This is the most complex aspect of the basis period rules. By separating these “change” sections from the main sections the taxpayer who does not change accounting date is sheltered from most of that complexity.
872.Section 214 determines the basis period for the year in which a change of accounting date takes place. It is based on section 62(1)(a), (2) and (5) of ICTA.
873.Subsection (1) covers two cases. Normally the year in which the change takes place is the first year in which accounts are prepared to the new date. But sometimes the period of account ending on the new accounting date will straddle an entire tax year (because that period of account is longer than 12 months). In these circumstances the straddled year is the year in which the change is treated as having taken place.
874.Subsection (2) is necessary to “switch off” the middle date treatment and to allow the provisions of section 213 to operate if appropriate (see the commentary on section 213).
875.Subsection (3) attributes an accounting date to a year which is straddled by the period of account ending with the new accounting date. That is necessary to determine the correct basis period for the straddled year. For example, if the period of account effecting the change of accounting date runs for 15 months from 1 April 2006 to 30 June 2007 an accounting date is treated as falling on 30 June 2006 in the tax year 2006-07 although, in fact, there is no accounting date in that year.