VAT Return Service UK

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Tax Services

VAT Return Preparation, Review
and MTD Filing

Need help preparing a VAT return from your records, or identifying what needs resolving before filing? Accusolve reviews the agreed period, reconciles VAT balances, prepares a draft for your approval and submits through compatible software under the agreed authorisation.
VAT return preparation and MTD filing support UK

Accusolve is an AAT AML-supervised UK accountancy practice. Our VAT return service is for VAT-registered businesses that want support turning their accounting records into an agreed return and dealing with queries or corrections identified during the review.

When VAT Returns Are Due

VAT-registered businesses usually submit a return every 3 months, including periods where there is no VAT to pay or reclaim. The usual online filing and payment deadline is one calendar month and 7 days after the end of the accounting period. Different deadlines can apply under the Annual Accounting Scheme. Check your VAT account for the date that applies to your business and see HMRC's VAT return guidance.

What Our VAT Return Work Can Include

  1. Confirm the VAT period, filing status and records included in the agreed scope.
  2. Review sales and purchase records and reconcile the VAT control balance to the accounting records.
  3. Raise queries on missing evidence, unusual VAT codes or transactions requiring clarification.
  4. Prepare the draft VAT return and explain material adjustments or unresolved items.
  5. Submit the approved return through compatible software with your authorisation.
  6. Explain the amount payable or reclaimable and the relevant payment or next-step information.

Making Tax Digital for VAT

VAT returns generally need to be submitted using accounting software that is compatible with Making Tax Digital unless HMRC has granted an exemption. We can work with records held in Xero, QuickBooks or another suitable system and review the digital-record workflow used for the return. Software setup, migration and bookkeeping cleanup are agreed separately where needed. See HMRC's MTD filing guidance.

Records We May Need

  • Sales and purchase records for the VAT period
  • VAT invoices and credit notes supporting material entries
  • Bank and payment-account reconciliations where relevant to the records
  • Previous VAT returns and the current VAT account balance
  • Import, export, reverse-charge or marketplace records where they affect the return
  • Details of known errors, adjustments or HMRC correspondence

If the bookkeeping is incomplete or unreconciled, we first agree what additional work is needed. Bookkeeping and software setup are not automatically included in a VAT return engagement.

Correcting Errors From Earlier VAT Returns

HMRC allows some net errors from the preceding 4 years to be adjusted on a later return. This generally covers net errors of £10,000 or less, or errors between £10,000 and £50,000 where they do not exceed 1% of the box 6 figure for the return period in which the error is discovered. Larger errors, errors above £10,000 that exceed that 1% limit, and deliberate errors need separate notification to HMRC. We review the records and agree the appropriate correction route; see HMRC's error-correction guidance.

Registration and Ongoing VAT Support

If you are not yet VAT registered, use our VAT registration service for UK-established businesses. Businesses established outside the UK should use our UK VAT registration support for overseas businesses. London businesses that want recurring return, bookkeeping-review and scheme support can use our ongoing VAT accountant service in London.

Making Tax Digital VAT return support UK
HMRC VAT return preparation and filing support

VAT Return FAQs

  • How often do I need to file a VAT return?
    VAT returns are usually quarterly, although monthly, annual and non-standard periods can apply. The usual online deadline is one calendar month and 7 days after the accounting period ends; check the due date shown in your VAT account.
  • Do VAT returns have to use Making Tax Digital software?
    VAT-registered businesses generally submit through MTD-compatible software unless HMRC has granted an exemption. We can agree the records, software access and approval process used for your return.
  • Can an error from an earlier VAT return be corrected?
    Yes, but the route depends on the age, size and nature of the error. Some net errors can be adjusted on a later return within HMRC's limits; larger or deliberate errors must be notified separately. We review the evidence before agreeing the correction method.
  • What happens if a VAT return or payment is late?
    Late VAT submissions use a points-based penalty system for current periods, with a £200 penalty when the relevant points threshold is reached and further penalties for subsequent late submissions while at the threshold. Late payment interest can run from the first overdue day, with separate late-payment penalties where applicable. If a deadline has already been missed, we can help establish what has been filed and what remains outstanding.

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Need Help With a VAT Return?

Tell us the VAT period, the software or records you use and whether previous filings are up to date. We can review the position and agree the work required.

Discuss VAT Return Support

Preparation • Review • MTD Submission

VAT return support UK