VAT

We appreciate you visiting the Community space, @john999.

Before we dig deeper into your query, know we aim to provide accurate details to help our customers resolve their situation and that this isn't the experience we want you to have when using the program. Reading through your post, we recommend getting in touch with the HMRC support team so they can supply you with the necessary troubleshooting steps to restore connectivity between QuickBooks Online (QBO) and the HRMC to submit your VAT return.

Moreover, we go these articles to help you manage VAT rates inside the program: Set up and edit VAT settings, codes and rates in QuickBooks Online.

The Community is always ready if you need help with your QuickBooks-relate questions or need assistance managing VAT returns inside the program. Keep safe.

I have contacted HMRC and everything is in order at their end and they are clear that this is a problem with QBO. The problem is that QBO doesn't give any information other than "We can't connect to HMRC", it doesn't say why it can't connect, so it is impossible to track the error. HMRC checked everything at their end and there is nothing wrong so it must be something with quickbooks

Hello john999, thanks for getting back to us, it is not great to hear you're still having an issue connecting to HMRC, in order for us to help you more could you reach out to us on social media either Facebook or Twitter and send us a PM/DM with the email address linked to your account and also you're vat registration number so that we can look into this issue you're having more in our system and get it resolved for you. 

Hi Ashley, I don't use Facebook or twitter but I do use email. how do I contact you. if I put my email address in this message I get an error that it couldn't validate. unbelievably unhelpful. Thanks John

sorry, should have been Ashleigh not Ashley

Hello John999, thanks for getting back to me, in this case can you ring the support line on 0808 234 5337, the line is open mon to fri 8-7 and is free from any UK mobile or landline and if you give the agent on the phone your email address linked to your account or you company id number and vat reg number they will be able to look in the system for you and help get it resolved. 

Hi Ashleigh,

Thanks for your suggestion. I contacted the helpline and he was able to share my screen. It would appear that the because there were two unfilled VAT periods (my accountant filled using a different system) this seemed to be causing the problem. I marked them as filed and that seems to have cleared access to HMRC. I have no idea why this caused a problem but it is something QBO should look at and others may find similar problems. Of course, my VAT control and suspense accounts are now out but I can adjust that with new accounts.

On another matter, whenever I try to access the UK community, I always get the UK flag. When I click on the flags and select the UK and then post a question I generally get a validation error *attached) this makes it hard to self serve!

Regards, John

We appreciate you sharing details about your concern, john999.

I can see how recording VAT filings within the system ensures your record accuracy while accessing the QuickBooks Community allows you to look for the information you need. Hence, I'll share some troubleshooting steps to help you achieve your goal.

Since the accounts are out after marking filings as filed, you can adjust them with guidance from your accountant for the proper posting.

On the other hand, I recommend utilizing a private browser to ensure you can access the QuickBooks Community. It helps overcome corrupted cache file issues that cause unexpected behavior.

You can refer to these keyboard shortcuts depending on your browser:

• Google Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N
• Safari 11 or newer: ⌘ + Shift + N
• Mozilla Firefox: Shift + Ctrl + P
• Microsoft Edge: Ctrl + Shift + N

Once it works, clear your regular browser's cache to refresh your website's preference. Also, take note of the system's supported browsers for the most secure and best experience.

Moreover, consider visiting this page to gather information about recording, adjusting, and deleting VAT payments in the tax centre: Manage VAT payments in QuickBooks Online.

Don't hesitate to update us in the Community if you have additional questions when filing VAT or other related concerns in QuickBooks Online. We'll be around to help.