The government is to adopt IFRS international accounting standards from the beginning of next year, Accountancy Age reports.
Officials confirmed that the government would move from UK GAAP from 2008, meaning that more private finance initiatives (PFI) would be back on its books.
According to the Financial Times, the new rules will bring the government more in line with practice in the private sector.
Officials at the Treasury conceded that it would lead to around £40 billion worth of PFI projects being on the government's balance sheet.
Meanwhile, some overhauls to HM Revenue & Customs' criminal investigation powers were unveiled in a Budget press release.
"Under the new approach, HMRC's investigatory powers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be based on the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)," it said. "Consistent provisions will be applied for Scotland, where PACE does not apply."
The move had been expected by tax professionals, some of whom are worried about taxmen receiving police powers.
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