Keynote speeches from two senior HM Revenue & Customs officials will headline next week’s Softworld trade exhibition as the industry grapples with what experts are describing as a period of fundamental change on tax IT in particular.

The event, which takes place at the Novotel in Hammersmith on 6 and 7 March, will see head of Carter communications and stakeholder engagement Julian Hatt, provide an update on modernising online services and discuss the current state of play on implementing Lord Carter’s March 2006 recommendations.

His colleague Kris Romanski, head of the VAT liability and IPT division, will discuss the reverse charge VAT mechanism that HMRC is introducing to control carousel fraud.

According to Denis Keeling, chief executive of the Business Application Software Developers Association, the two seminars address issues central to the most dramatic period of upheaval business software will have to adapt to since Y2K.

‘Legislative and standards changes due to come into force during 2007 are likely to cause a headache for any organisation that relies on business software and could force many to upgrade, or even replace their existing systems,’ Keeling said.

Keeling believes reverse charge VAT, the follow-up to the Carter review and the new Construction and Industry Scheme were all areas that would place pressure on business software vendors and users.

‘The impact of some of the changes should not be underestimated. The new reverse charge VAT rules arguably represent the most significant change to tax law to accounting and IT systems in 14 years, while the new construction industry scheme requirements are not just relevant to the companies in the construction industry, but for any organisation employing sub-contractors on projects of more than £1m,’ Keeling said.

In addition to top level HMRC contacts, visitors will also have access to leading advisers and business software experts.

Keeling will be on hand to discuss what is involved in choosing and implementing business software systems. PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Chris Potter, will speak on managing technology risks within SMEs and Colin Kerr, finance director of the Specialist Schools Academies Trust, will give a workshop on IT strategy.