Ongoing VAT returns
We prepare the return from the agreed records, review the VAT treatment and raise queries before asking you to approve submission. Tell us your scheme, return period and next deadline.
VAT returns
VAT returns and Making Tax Digital
We prepare VAT returns for businesses in Sheffield, Mansfield and across the UK. We check the records, discuss questions with you and explain the VAT due before you approve the return. Registration, scheme reviews and bookkeeping can be agreed alongside your returns.
Discuss your VAT returns
What do you need help with?
You may need someone to take over your returns, register a growing business or check an earlier mistake. We agree which work you need, who keeps the records and the fee before starting.
VAT registration
We check taxable turnover, the registration date and whether voluntary registration would suit your business. The date matters for your invoices, prices and first return.
Earlier returns and corrections
Share the return, supporting records and any HMRC correspondence. We establish what needs checking and the appropriate correction or disclosure route before agreeing the work.
How we prepare your VAT return
A bank balance cannot tell you how much VAT is due. The return needs sales, purchases and supporting records for the right period.
1. Agree the records and dates
We confirm who records sales and purchases, how documents reach us and when queries and approval are needed. Most returns are quarterly, but we use your actual HMRC return period.
2. Reconcile and check
We compare the VAT records with sales and purchase totals, bank or payment-provider records and earlier balances. We review unusual items, mixed business and private costs, and missing invoices.
3. Resolve, approve and submit
We discuss outstanding questions, explain the amount payable or reclaimable and ask for your approval. Where submission is agreed, we file through compatible software and confirm the payment deadline. You arrange payment to HMRC.
What Making Tax Digital means for your records
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT requires digital records and compatible software unless HMRC grants an exemption. The practical question is how your sales and purchase records reach the return.
Accounting software can hold the records and submit the return. Spreadsheets can also work with bridging software, provided the required digital records and digital links are in place. Copying and pasting figures between software products is not a digital link.
Paper invoices and receipts can still be source documents. The required transaction details must be recorded digitally. We agree the software and record checks around the way your business works. Read our guide to digital records, links, bridging software and exemptions.
If you also need help entering transactions and matching them to the bank, our bookkeeping service explains the options for ongoing work and catching up.
Which VAT scheme suits your business?
The answer depends on when customers pay, your costs and the type of sales you make. We compare the amount payable under the available schemes, including the VAT you can reclaim on costs.
Standard VAT accounting
VAT can become due before the customer pays. The tax point is the date a supply is treated as made for VAT. Your return combines VAT charged on sales and eligible VAT reclaimed on purchases, supported by the required evidence.
Cash Accounting Scheme
You normally account for VAT on sales when customers pay and reclaim VAT on purchases when you pay suppliers. Eligible businesses can join with expected taxable turnover of £1.35 million or less. We check the scheme conditions and excluded transactions.
Flat Rate Scheme
Eligible businesses can join with expected VAT-taxable turnover of £150,000 or less, excluding VAT. Payment is based on a percentage of VAT-inclusive turnover. The limited cost business rules can change the percentage. Most purchase VAT cannot be reclaimed; an exception can apply to a single purchase of qualifying capital expenditure goods costing £2,000 or more including VAT.
When does VAT registration become due?
For a UK-established business, the compulsory registration threshold is taxable turnover over £90,000. There are two separate tests.
If taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 over the previous 12 months, you must register within 30 days of the end of the month in which you went over. Registration normally takes effect on the first day of the second month after that month.
If you expect taxable turnover in the next 30 days alone to exceed £90,000, the effective date is when you first realised that would happen. You must register by the end of that 30-day period. Taxable turnover includes zero-rated sales; exempt sales are treated differently.
Some VAT paid before registration may be recoverable. The usual time limits are four years for goods still held, or used to make goods still held, and six months for services. Business use, VAT invoices and the other reclaim conditions still matter. Use the VAT scheme calculator for an initial comparison.
VAT checks for online sales and construction
These businesses often need extra information beyond the amount arriving in the bank.
Marketplace and online sales
A payout can combine sales, fees, refunds and adjustments. We agree how those amounts are separated and check the VAT treatment using the transaction details, customer location and platform role. Read the ecommerce VAT guide.
Construction reverse charge
The domestic reverse charge does not apply to every Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) payment. We check the service, VAT rate, customer status and any written end-user or intermediary-supplier notification. Qualifying construction supplies can require the customer to account for VAT.
Before your first conversation
Have your VAT number, last submitted return, scheme, software details, next deadline and any HMRC letters available. Tell us about overseas sales, exempt income, property transactions or construction work so we can agree the checks needed.
Your questions answered
When is my VAT return due?
For most businesses, the online return and payment deadline is one calendar month and seven days after the period ends. Your VAT online account shows the actual dates; special arrangements can differ.
How do late VAT return penalties work?
For quarterly returns, the penalty threshold is four points. It is two for annual returns and five for monthly returns. Reaching the threshold brings a £200 penalty, with further penalties for late returns while at the threshold. Nil and repayment returns can count too. Late payment penalties and interest are separate.
Can you take over from my current accountant?
Yes. Tell us the next deadline and which periods have been submitted. We agree the handover, access and any review of earlier records. Our switching guides explain the information involved.
Does a VAT return include all my bookkeeping?
We agree that with you. You can supply records you maintain, or ask us to handle the bookkeeping as well. The written scope sets out the work, responsibilities and fixed fee.
Official guidance
These HMRC pages explain the rules behind the checks described above.
Discuss your VAT returns
Tell us whether you need ongoing returns, registration or a review of earlier records. We will discuss the records and deadlines, then provide a written scope and fixed fee.
Arrange a consultation
Locations
Sheffield and Mansfield
VAT returns and Making Tax Digital for UK limited companies in South Yorkshire, the East Midlands and across the UK, with the work run through secure cloud records and scheduled calls.