Hello there, t999tpf.

We can verify your VAT settings to see if the return's filing period is before the VAT registration date. Let me show you how:

1. Go to the Taxes menu
2. Select VAT.
3. From the Edit VAT drop-down, click Edit settings.

If the return is already passed the deadline, the option to file it within QuickBooks Online is unavailable. You'll want to submit the return directly to HMRC and then mark the return as filed. Let me show you how:

1. From the Taxes menu, click VAT.
2. Look for the VAT period to file and click Submit Return.
3. On the Prepare VAT return screen, review and confirm the details. 
4. Click the drop-down arrow beside Submit to HMRC and select Mark as Filed.

However, if you confirmed that everything is set up correctly, you can reach out to our Phone Support Team so we can further look into your settings that caused the error. 

You can check out these articles that will help you in reviewing and submitting your returns: 

• Set up and edit VAT settings, VAT codes, and VAT rates
• Submit a VAT return in QuickBooks Online

Keep me posted if you have other questions. Take care and have a good one!

Hello Community users, we just wanted to pop in and update this thread. Our senior technicians investigated into the error message "you can't submit a return before the effective date of your registration'' showing despite the submission date being after the effective date of VAT registration. It was found that message was not the true error and it was due to incorrect tax period dates when submitting the return( sometimes referred to by HMRC as obligations). You can check the dates that should be showing at the HMRC gateway for your VAT.

We've included some steps to try if you're on Making Tax Digital for VAT, trying to file VAT in QuickBooks and are receiving an error message. If you find after going through the steps you are not able to successfully submit the return in QuickBooks let us know, we'd be happy to take a look and get you on the way to submitting successfully again. Any Q's at all don't hesitate to ask.