01 May 2020The government has extended deadlines for certain tax consultations as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. New timelines for a number of consultations have been announced to give those affected by COVID-19 the chance to have their say on changes to tax rules. Amongst the consultations that have had their deadlines extended are the call for evidence on the business rates review; the consultation on the design of a carbon emissions tax; the summary of responses to the non-UK resident Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) surcharge consultation; and the review of how VAT operates in the public sector. The government also confirmed that there will be short delays to the publication of certain documents announced at the 2020 Budget. It stated that it remains 'committed to all planned reforms'. 'Acting now to extend the deadlines for consultation is a welcome decision, as these consultations cover important issues that taxpayers need time to consider,' said Chris Sanger, Chair of the Tax Professionals Forum. 'Given the current environment, attention will naturally and rightly be focused elsewhere. An extra three months should allow sufficient time for engagement, whilst still enabling the government to deliver important tax policy changes within the current fiscal timetable.'