Many businesses will be aware of the MTD
requirements for VAT which came into force on 1 April 2019 and may already be
using compatible software or be in the process of setting this up. To ensure
full MTD compliance we have outlined registration action required with time
frames and further details.
As a reminder, VAT registered businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT
threshold (currently £85,000) are now required to use the MTD service to keep
records digitally and use software to submit their VAT returns.
If you are already submitting VAT returns through software such as Xero, Sage
or Quickbooks, or are about to use bridging software, you may think you are
already MTD compliant. However, there are a few things you need to do before
this is the case.
Firstly, consider when you need to register for MTD. This is determined by your
VAT return periods and if you have a direct debit set up for paying HMRC or
not. Please see the table below:
| First MTD VAT return period | MTD VAT return due date | Time frame to register for MTD (direct debit payers) | Time frame to register for MTD (non-direct debit payers) |
| Quarterly (1 April 2019 – 30 June 2019) | 7 August 2019 | 15 May 2019 – 23 June 2019 | 8 May 2019 – 23 June 2019 |
| Quarterly (1 May 2019 – 31 July 2019) | 7 September 2019 | 15 June 2019 – 23 July 2019 | 8 June 2019 – 23 July 2019 |
| Quarterly (1 June 2019 – 31 August 2019) | 7 October 2019 | 15 July 2019 – 23 August 2019 | 8 July 2019 – 23 August 2019 |
You can register earlier than the dates
above, and we strongly recommend you make sure you have given yourself plenty
of time to complete the whole process before the next VAT return is due, in
case you encounter any technical difficulties. Allow at least 24 hours after
submitting the last non-MTD VAT return before registering. As the system is new
and due to the significant volume of sign ups, we have in some cases seen
delays of up to 10 days to complete the registration process.
You may have received a letter through the post from HMRC with details of how
to register. If not, please use this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sign-up-for-making-tax-digital-for-vat
When registering, you will need your HMRC login details, VAT number, UTR number
for the business and company number (if applicable). Once this has been done,
you should receive an email from HMRC within 72 hours confirming you have
registered for MTD. Please do not try the next steps or attempt to submit an
MTD VAT return until you receive this email. Check your junk mail if it has not
appeared in your inbox.
Once you have received this email, ensure your accounting software is set up
for MTD. This may be as simple as clicking a button to enable MTD, however
additional steps may be required depending on the software used.
If you have a direct debit set up for paying your VAT to HMRC, update your
details on the new HMRC portal once you have received the confirmation email.
Again, leave plenty of time to update the system as some of our clients have
experienced delays and technical difficulties when submitting these changes.
Once all of the above is done, you should be ready to submit your first MTD VAT
return.
If you are concerned about any of the above or wish to discuss our MTD bridging
solution, CoZone, please get in touch.
Mark Pryce
Partner
0141 886 6644 Mark.Pryce@campbelldallas.co.uk
