Who needs to use Making Tax Digital software?

From April 2022, all VAT-registered businesses in the UK will need to use Making Tax Digital software that can connect directly with HMRC. QuickBooks is recognised by HMRC as MTD-compatible.

Has Making Tax Digital been delayed?

The original deadline for VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover below £85,000 to become MTD-compliant was April 2020. Due to the pandemic, this deadline was extended to April 2022.

When is the deadline for Making Tax Digital for VAT?

For VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover above £85,000, the MTD deadline was April 2019. VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover below £85,000 will need to follow MTD rules for their VAT return from April 2022 onwards.

What do I need to do for Making Tax Digital?

To comply with Making Tax Digital rules for VAT, you'll need to:Keep your VAT records digitally with Making Tax Digital software that connects directly to HMRCSubmit your VAT return to HMRC through Making tax Digital software

I already submit my VAT returns online - am I not already compliant?

Just because you are submitting your VAT returns online doesn’t mean that you're MTD compliant. You need to submit your VAT returns to HMRC through Making Tax Digital software in order to meet the requirements.

Can I submit my VAT returns through XML?

From April 2021, the option to submit VAT returns via XML is being removed from HMRC’s website. Until you’ve moved over to Making Tax Digital software, you’ll need to log in to your Business Tax Account with HMRC to manually enter your tax return numbers.

How do I set up Making Tax Digital for VAT?

If you’re a business owner, you need to register for Making Tax Digital for VAT on the government website. To register, you need the following:desA business email addressA Government Gateway user ID and passwordYour VAT registration number and latest VAT returnOther requirements for registration are based on the legal form of your business.

How do I submit my VAT return digitally?

QuickBooks’ Making Tax Digital software will track your digital records throughout the year and remind you when your VAT return is due. As all relevant records will already be stored in one place, you just need to check your data before submitting your VAT return to HMRC directly through the QuickBooks accounting software.

Where do I get Making Tax Digital software?

You can find a list of MTD-compatible software on GOV.UK. As HMRC don’t offer their own software, they are collaborating with Making Tax Digital software providers such as QuickBooks to facilitate the transition.

Is QuickBooks Making Tax Digital compliant?

Yes, QuickBooks’ accounting software is MTD-compliant. If you’re using QuickBooks Desktop, you need to switch to QuickBooks Online or make sure you’ve upgraded your software to the latest version.

Can my accountant help me with the transition?

Accountants can help you transition to Making Tax Digital for VAT as long as they have:Permission to act as an agent on your behalfRegistered for an Agent Services Account and linked your HMRC account to itAccess to Making Tax Digital-compliant software

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MTD Software for VAT, recognised by HMRC

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QuickBooks' HMRC-recognised MTD software for VAT makes it easy to track your VAT and submit your returns.

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Making Tax Digital Timelines

MTD was introduced for nearly all VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover above £85,000 in April 2019. From April 2022, this will be extended to nearly all VAT-registered businesses in the UK. Here are the latest key dates for compliance:

April 2022:

Making Tax Digital for VAT applies for nearly all VAT-registered businesses

April 2026:

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to self-employed businesses and landlords with annual business or property income above £50,000

April 2027:

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to self-employed businesses and landlords with annual business or property income above £30,000

Changes to corporation tax are likely to follow in due course.

Why get Making Tax Digital software now?

If you’re running a VAT-registered business with an annual taxable turnover above £85,000, it’s likely that you’re already required to use Making Tax Digital software for your VAT returns.

If your business has an annual taxable turnover below £85,000 and you're still submitting your VAT return in the old way, it makes sense to start using MTD-compatible software now to avoid problems later. By 2022 you'll need to use digital links to exchange information with HMRC.

What are digital links?

Digital links are a way to describe the direct data exchange between Making Tax Digital software and HMRC. If your business is VAT-registered, you must use HMRC-approved software like QuickBooks to keep digital records, which you can then send to HMRC with the click of a mouse before the VAT deadline.

Made a mistake in your tax return? Simply modify your data in QuickBooks’ software before sending your updated VAT return.

What are the benefits of Making Tax Digital?

Investing in Making Tax Digital software now makes it easier to:

keep accurate records
meet your VAT deadline
comply with HMRC

Start tracking your digital records today to submit your next VAT return in minutes.

QuickBooks: Making Tax Digital software recognised by HMRC

By using QuickBooks, your business is all set up to comply with the latest government regulations. And at the same time, managing your business finances will become a whole lot easier.

Keep digital records

Making the switch to digital records is a breeze with automatic data imports from Excel, CSV files and other accounting software.

Switch from Excel Spreadsheets

To get help, call our MTD hotline: 0808 168 9533

Automate your VAT

Forget the headache of calculating VAT percentages - QuickBooks’ all-in-one MTD for VAT software works out the amount of VAT you owe based on the latest VAT codes.

Find out more

Avoid costly mistakes

QuickBooks’ VAT Error Checker scans your VAT for common mistakes, saving you time and stress.

See how it works

Save hours on your VAT return

Swap manual data entry for bank connections that import your transactions in real-time. Snap and store receipts, auto-track your mileage and categorise transactions digitally so you're ready for tax time.

Submit your VAT return in minutes

Transform the process of submitting your VAT return. When all your info is already in QuickBooks it's just a matter of using the VAT error checker to scan for common mistakes, then submitting directly to HMRC.

"A great way of summarising everything that goes into the return without having to review everything for the quarter."
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Frequently asked questions

Learn more about Making Tax Digital

Preparing for MTD

Get ready for Making Tax Digital in 5 steps

Making Tax Digital VAT: are there exemptions?

QuickBooks Making Tax Digital for VAT software is available to all QuickBooks Simple Start, Essential, Plus and Advanced subscribers. Use of QuickBooks MTD for VAT software and bridging software must be aligned with HMRC's eligibility requirements and includes additional setup between the small business and HMRC.

QuickBooks MTD software currently supports Standard, Cash and Flat Rate schemes. QuickBooks Bridging Software supports Standard and Cash schemes. Businesses whose home currency is not GBP are currently not supported.

Receive a 90% discount on the current monthly price for QuickBooks Online Simple Start or 90% discount on the current monthly price for QuickBooks Online Essentials or 90% discount on the current monthly price for QuickBooks Online Plus or 90% discount on the current monthly price for QuickBooks Online Advanced for the first 6 months of service, starting from date of enrolment, followed by the then-current monthly price. Your account will automatically be charged on a monthly basis until you cancel. You must select the Buy Now option and you will not be eligible for a 30-day free trial. Offer valid for new QuickBooks Online customers only. No limit on the number of subscriptions ordered. You can cancel at any time by calling 0808 168 9533. Discount cannot be combined with any other QuickBooks Online offers. Terms, conditions, features, pricing, service and support are subject to change without notice. All prices shown exclude VAT.

Enjoy 90% off for 12 months on the current fees when you pay for your QuickBooks Online subscription on an annual, upfront basis. If you cancel your QuickBooks Online subscription within the pre-paid 12-month period, you will not be eligible for a refund, but will retain full access to your QuickBooks Online subscription for the remainder of the 12-month period. Alternatively if you wish to receive a refund then you need to cancel by calling us on 0808 234 5337 within the pre-paid 12 month period and we will provide a pro-rata refund and deactivate your account. Unless cancelled by you prior, your annual subscription will auto-renew on the 12 month anniversary of your sign-up date using the billing details you have given us. Discounts, prices, terms and conditions are subject to change.

Receive 90% off the current monthly subscription price for QuickBooks Core or QuickBooks Advanced Payroll for the first 6 months of service, starting from the date you subscribe to the service, followed by the then-current monthly price. Your account will automatically be charged on a monthly basis for the subscription fee and for all pay runs processed in the previous month, until you cancel. You must select the Buy Now option, and you will not be eligible for a 30-day free trial. Offer valid for new QuickBooks Online customers only. No limit on the number of subscriptions ordered. You can cancel at any time by calling 0808 168 9533. Discount cannot be combined with any other QuickBooks Online offers. Terms, conditions, features, pricing, service and support are subject to change without notice. All prices shown exclude VAT.

Discount valid until the 29 November 2023.

Receive 90% off the current monthly subscription price for QuickBooks Advanced for the first 6 months of service, starting from the date of enrolment, followed by the then monthly price. Your account will automatically be charged on a monthly basis for the subscription fee and for all pay runs processed in the previous month, until you cancel. You must select the Buy Now option and will not receive a one month trial. Offer valid for new QuickBooks Online customers only. No limit on the number of subscriptions ordered. You can cancel at any time by calling 0808 239 9692. Discount cannot be combined with any other QuickBooks Online offers. Terms, conditions, features, pricing, service and support are subject to change without notice. All prices shown exclude VAT.

QuickBooks Advanced Payroll allows you to automatically submit information to the following pension providers: NEST, The Peoples Pension, Smart Pensions, Aviva and NOW:Pensions

Free onboarding sessions are offered to all newly subscribed customers and trialists, excluding customers on our QuickBooks Self-Employed product. We offer 1 session per customer and reserve the right to remove this offering at anytime. Invitations are sent via email and in-product messaging once signup has been completed. A link will be included in the message for you to book a session using our calendar tool.

Mileage tracking is available on QuickBooks Self-Employed and QuickBooks Online on iOS and Android only.

These terms apply to QuickBooks UK customers only. Bulk-pricing discount offer is valid only if you are signing up for more than one QuickBooks Online subscription with each order. View terms and conditions for multiple accounts pricing here. To inquire further about the bulk-pricing discount offer, please call 0808 168 9533

QuickBooks UK support hours:

QuickBooks Online Phone – Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm.
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