Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT starts from 1 April 2019. VAT-registered businesses whose turnover is above the VAT registration threshold of £85,000 will be required to comply with MTD for VAT from the start of their first VAT accounting period to begin on or after 1 April 2019. If the business is VAT-registered but the turnover is below £85,000, compliance with MTD for VAT is optional.
Digital record-keeping obligations
Under MTD for VAT, businesses will be required to keep digital records and to file their VAT returns using functional compatible software. The following records must be kept digitally.
Designatory data
Supplies made
For each supply made:
Outputs value for the VAT period split between standard rate, reduced rate, zero rate and outside the scope supplies must also be recorded.
Multiple supplies made at the same time do not need to be recorded separately – it is sufficient to record the total value of supplies on each invoice or receipt that has the same time of supply and rate of VAT charged.
Supplies received
For each supply received:
If there is more than one supply on the invoice, it is sufficient just to record the invoice totals.
Digital VAT account
The VAT account links the business records and the VAT return. The VAT account must be maintained digitally, and the following information should be recorded digitally:
In addition, to show the link between the input tax recorded in the business’ records and that reclaimed on the VAT return, the following must be recorded digitally:
The information held in the Digital VAT account is used to complete the VAT return using `functional compatible software’. This is a software programme, or a set of compatible software programmes, that are capable of:
Functional compatible software is used to maintain the mandatory digital records, calculate the return and submit it to HMRC via an API.
Getting ready
The clock is ticking and MTD for VAT is now less than a year away. Preparations should be underway to identify and test the software that will be used to comply with MTD for VAT.
Partner note:www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/668776/Draft_VAT_Notice_on_Making_Tax_Digital_for_VAT.PDF; Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/2518), regs. 31AA, 32A, 32B. 32C.
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