Change to Making Tax Digital for VAT

Companies now have more time to get their systems ready to submit their VAT return using ‘digital links’. This is particularly relevant to those using multiple systems and some form of ‘bridging solution’ (often a spreadsheet type solution).

The ‘soft landing’ regarding the rules was due end in April 2020 (or October 2020 if it involves a VAT group or other complex VAT entity). This would have meant companies were no longer allowed to simply copy and paste data between parts of their systems. Instead they would require a digital link such as a formal export routine to move the data.

This is very relevant to any VAT Groups using NAV or Business Central as the standard Making Tax Digital functionality only really suits single vat entities at the moment (an update is awaited from Microsoft later this year).

On the 7th April 2020, HMRC updated section 4.2.1.1 of the VAT Notice (700/22) to state “Businesses will not be required to have digital links between software programs until their first VAT Return period starting on or after 1 April 2021.”

This gives companies valuable breathing space at a very challenging time and is good news. If you are using NAV or Business Central and are using a bridging solution of some form, maybe when things have returned to a more normal situation please talk to us about how we can help you prepare for this change ready for when it does come into effect.