The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) says it is concerned that pubs could be made "worse off" by changes to the Machine Games Duty (MGD) regulations the have been proposed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).Under the proposed regulations, licensees would have to complete a tax return every quarter in addition to their VAT return for fruit machines and 'Skills with Prizes' machines delivering a prize over £8, the Publicans' Morning Advertiser (PMA) reports.
Director of pub and leisure at the BBPA, Martin Rawlings, told the PMA: "As new tax returns mean more red tape, it is vital that pubs are not left worse off under the new system."
The tax rate and legislation will be announced in the Budget on 21 March and operators will need to register for payment of the new tax before the end of the year.
Tax returns and business insurance policies are just some of the legal requirements that pubs must comply with every year.
