Theresa May’s failure to win approval for the terms of the withdrawal agreement by a 230-vote margin is the worst government defeat in UK history. With 70 days to go before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU the great uncertainty of Brexit continues for people and business alike.  A vote on the “Plan B” will take place in the UK Parliament on 29 January. Confidence without supply The defeat of the withdrawal bill led to a no-confidence vote on Wednesday night – a vote the embattled leader survived with 118 conservative MPs who voted against the withdrawal bill backing the Prime Minister.  Now Theresa May has appealed to opposition leaders to meet with her for talks before she has to present an alternative proposal to parliament on Monday. Speaking in a televised address following the vote, the UK Prime Minister tried to reassure the country that she is in charge of the Brexit process and said: "Now MPs have made clear what they don't want, we must all work constructively together to set out what parliament does want." The Guardian has published a breakdown on how MP’s voted in the no confidence motion. The Brexit “Plan B” will be voted on by the UK Parliament on 29 January 2019. Brexit bites This week we round up some of the reaction to the goings on in the UK Parliament over the past few days. What’s the solution? “If a deal is impossible, and no one wants (a) no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?” The words of European Commission President Donald Tusk following the UK vote on the Withdrawal Bill.  Profound regret – Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU “profoundly regrets” the Commons vote on the Withdrawal Bill and said a no deal Brexit is increasingly likely. Time is almost up - President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker urges the UK to clarify its intentions as soon as possible. Bills, bills and more bills - The Irish government meanwhile announced plans to publish its Brexit omnibus bill on 29 February which covers 17 areas that will need legislation in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Border checks – During Leader’s questions this week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Ireland is implementing no deal plans and that means possible checks at ports and airports in Dublin and Rosslare. The Taoiseach said that checks are not being planned along the land border on the island of Ireland or at sea.     Revenue regional Brexit seminars Revenue will host the following seminars in January to help address the potential customs implications of Brexit and how these challenges can be addressed.  Book by clicking the links below. Carnbeg Hotel, Dundalk, Tuesday 22 January 2019 Hibernia Suite, Dublin Castle, Thursday, 24 January 2019 Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford, Wednesday, 30 January 2019. If you have a specific topic you wish covered, you can email brexitqueries@revenue.ie outlining the details.  More seminars will be added subject to demand and the Brexit dedicated page on the Revenue website will be updated with further information as it becomes available. Update from HMRC  HMRC are reminding traders about actions they can take to prepare in the event of a no deal Brexit.  One recommendation is to apply for an EORI number to be able to continue to trade with the EU and HMRC say it only takes ten minutes. You can read the update using this link.  Institute’s Brexit guidance Members are reminded that the Institute has published a series of Back to Brexit Basics which will help you understand Brexit and its possible implications for you and your business.  The free customs guide Taking the Lead: Chartered Accountants and Brexit prepared by the Institute and ICAEW will also help business in the UK and Ireland get a grasp of customs obligations post Brexit.  Read all of our Brexit updates on the dedicated Brexit section of our website.    

Deal or no deal, after the UK leaves the EU, Irish traders will have to pay VAT upfront on imports from the UK. This, in addition to new customs duties, could mean a stark cash flow burden for business.   Given that over €30 billion of goods are exchanged between the two jurisdictions every year, this major change will cause significant upheaval to every business involved in imports. The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies Ireland (CCAB-I) is calling for the introduction of rules to allow Irish traders extra time to pay the VAT due on goods arriving from the UK.    The ‘postponed method of accounting for import VAT’ would mean that Irish importers would not have to pay VAT at the point the goods arrive into Ireland from the UK but instead declare the VAT and recover the costs in the next VAT return filed with the Revenue, several weeks later.  President of member body Chartered Accountants Ireland, Feargal McCormack said “The postponed method of accounting for VAT would be relatively straightforward to introduce.  Several other EU Member States have already adopted this method and many of these countries have land borders with non-EU countries.  Postponing the payment of VAT makes practical sense for businesses that will already be challenged by the upheaval of Brexit.  An added advantage would be that this proposed system would largely reflect the existing VAT collection mechanisms for trade within the EU and companies are already very familiar with this method.”  In the event of a No Deal Brexit, the UK government have indicated that it will introduce the postponed method of accounting for import VAT.  CCAB-I first called for the introduction of the postponed method of accounting for VAT almost two years ago.   Mr McCormack said: “The UK VAT proposal is practical and Ireland should offer the same.  Post Brexit, Irish traders importing from the UK will face an upfront VAT cost even if there is a future trading deal.  If the current law is not changed in Ireland, upfront VAT will create cash flow costs and administrative burdens – all generated by Brexit – and none of which exist at present.”  From the exchequer perspective at a time when 2018 VAT receipts were €931 million ahead of 2017 figures, only one VAT period would be affected by a change in method and the position would neutralise over the year. The CCAB-I’s statement was reported during the week in the Irish Examiner and The Times UK.  Read all of our Brexit updates on the dedicated Brexit section of our website.  

Chartered Accountants Ireland has warned its members not to be complacent about a Brexit political settlement that might not materialise before 29 March 2019.  In a joint statement widely reported in the media, the Chairs of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society and the Chartered Accountants Ireland London Society said that there is no hard evidence that the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which would avoid a hard Brexit, will be agreed tomorrow at Westminster. Both societies are advising businesses to prepare for a no-deal Brexit and for the reintroduction tariffs and quotas on imports and exports between the UK and the EU from the end of March. The Chartered Accountancy bodies also state that they have particular concerns regarding the readiness of the SME sector to deal with these challenges. Niall Harkin, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society said: “Generally, aside from the agribusiness sectors, it is not the amount of customs duties to be reintroduced that will pose problems for businesses in the UK and NI in particular.  “Rather it is the disruption which will be caused by customs checking at the borders with the EU and the increased administration that this will bring.  Furthermore, many businesses will encounter a new up-front VAT charge on imported goods which will impact on cash flow.” Gerry Nicholas, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ireland London Society said: “Chartered Accountants, as business leaders and financial planners and managers, will be at the forefront of dealing with any new trading obligations post Brexit.  We must ensure that businesses will meet any new legal requirements that emerge. “We are recommending that as a minimum first step, cross-border trading businesses ensure that their business has applied for a UK EORI number required to continue to trade within the EU after 29 March.” The UK government has released a Partnership pack which covers information on how to prepare for changes at the UK border in the event of a no deal Brexit.  The guide addresses future cross-border trading activity and highlights steps which can be taken to prepare for Brexit.  Chartered Accountants Ireland is publicising this guide. Chartered Accountants Ireland has also prepared a written guide on how customs operate (and is designed particularly for traders who are dealing with customs for the first time) in conjunction with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a free copy is available at www.charteredaccountants.ie. In terms of financial services, there are definitive reports of firm’s relocating from the UK to Ireland. We would urge such firms to continue with contingency planning with customers and investors in mind.  Chartered Accountants Ireland is also engaging with the relevant regulatory bodies, the FRC and IAASA, to ensure continued cross-border recognition of its members’ qualification and auditing rights across the island of Ireland after Brexit. UK businesses can apply for an EORI number online at https://www.gov.uk/eori.  This statement was reported in the Belfast Telegraph, the Irish News,  the Irish Times, Newsletter,   Business Eye, the Daily Mail and the Irish Mirror. As the prospect of a no-deal Brexit looms, members are reminded that the Institute has published a series of Back to Brexit Basics which will help you understand Brexit and its possible implications for you and your business.  The free customs guide Taking the Lead: Chartered Accountants and Brexit prepared by the Institute and ICAEW will also help business in the UK and Ireland get a grasp of customs obligations post Brexit.  The UK government has provided no-deal guidance on gov.uk  while the European Commission has released no-deal notices warning all Member States to get their borders ready to implement customs checks on goods coming from the UK from 29 March 2019.  Read all of our Brexit updates on the dedicated Brexit section of our website.