Our website uses cookies to enhance the visitor experience (what's a cookieCookies are small text files that are stored on your computer when you visit a website. They are mainly used as a way of improving the website functionalities or to provide more advanced statistical data.). Are you happy for us to use cookies during your visits?
Please note: continuing without making a choice equates to giving us your consent, which you can withdraw at any time via our cookies policy page.

Making Tax Digital

Newsletter issue - May 2021

From 1 April 2021, all compulsorily VAT-registered businesses that submit electronic VAT returns are required to digitally link the business records to their VAT returns. This must be done by using HMRC approved bookkeeping software. This can include spreadsheets prepared in Microsoft Excel, or similar software, but the key point is that the data must flow automatically from the initial manual input to the VAT return. HMRC does not accept that the use of cut-and-paste or copy-and-paste to move information between software programs, or within different parts of a software program, to be a digital link.

Initially, there was a soft-landing period where these rules were not being enforced, e.g. cut-and-paste techniques were still being permitted, though HMRC were encouraging businesses to follow them as closely as possible. From 1 April 2021, HMRC will enforce the rules and penalties will be charged for non-compliance.

Businesses should refer to the information contained in VAT notice 700/22 for further information regarding the Making Tax Digital for VAT initiative and their corresponding responsibilities.

Newsletter SubscriptionPlease enter your details

Book a Free, No Obligation Consultation

Take advantage of a free consultation to see how you can benefit from using Stanhope accountancy and advisory and find out the best way to deal with your tax, accounting and how to minimise your tax liabilities. Book now >

Get a Fixed Quote

We believe you should always be in control of your finances. For this reason we can offer many of our services on a fixed fee basis on agreed services >

Profitability Strategies

We can help you develop strategies to help your business grow without increasing costs specialized tax incentives to produce multiple benefits and help you increase your profit >

Your Business

Expert tax planning advice any size business tailored to you >