As the owner of Kirkpatrick Consult Limited, I see the inefficiencies of our outdated tax year every day.  The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April, a relic of 1752 when Britain switched calendars and “lost” 11 days.  That historical quirk made sense then—but today, it’s a barrier to simplicity and global alignment.

Why Change?

  • Global Standard: Over 120 countries start their tax year on 1 January, including the USA, Canada, Germany, France, and most of Europe.
  • Simplification: Aligning with the calendar year would make payroll, budgeting, and reporting easier for businesses and individuals.
  • International Competitiveness: UK companies trading globally face unnecessary complexity because our tax year doesn’t match international norms.

The Current System Is Outdated

The 6 April start date exists purely because of an 18th-century calendar adjustment.  In today’s digital economy, this anomaly costs time and money.

Benefits for Small Businesses

  • Easier financial planning.
  • Reduced accounting costs.
  • Fewer errors and compliance headaches.

What About Costs?

Yes, there’s a transition cost – but it’s a one-time investment for decades of simplicity.  The long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term inconvenience.

What Happens Next?

By signing the petition linked below, you will be actively showing the United Kingdom government that you want change.  Under the official petitions system, once a petition receives 10,000 signatures, the government is formally required to issue an official written response.  If it goes on to reach 100,000 signatures, the matter is then considered for debate in Parliament, giving MPs the opportunity to examine the issue directly, discuss its merits, and push it onto the national agenda.  Your signature is therefore more than symbolic — it directly triggers the democratic mechanisms needed to bring this long‑overdue reform into the spotlight.

👉 Sign the petition now and help modernise the UK tax year!

Please share this widely across your social media.  Reaching Parliament depends entirely on how many people we can mobilise and every share helps push this campaign closer to being formally discussed by the government.