921.This Chapter sets out the rules for dealing with two sorts of changes in the way profits of a trade are calculated.
922.The first sort of change is in the way the accounts are drawn up. The general rule is that profits must be calculated on the basis of accounts drawn up in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice (see section 50 of FA 2004 and section 25 of this Act). There is an exception to this general rule for some barristers and advocates (see section 160 of this Act), who may calculate their profits on a cash basis.
923.If there is a change from the cash basis to the earnings basis, some receipts and expenses may fall out of account. This sort of change was dealt with originally in the rules that became section 104(4) to (7) of ICTA. Those rules were replaced by the rules in section 44 of and Schedule 6 to FA 1998. The 1998 rules were replaced by section 64 of and Schedule 22 to FA 2002.
924.The second sort of change is in the way tax adjustments are made. These are the adjustments “required or authorised by law in calculating profits for tax purposes” (section 25). This sort of change was dealt with for the first time by the 2002 legislation.
925.Section 860 of this Act applies the rules to trades carried on in partnership.