HM Revenue
& Customs (HMRC) has issued an alert to VAT-registered
businesses across the UK about important changes that come into
effect this spring.
From 1 April 2012, all VAT-registered businesses must send their
VAT returns online and pay their VAT electronically. Currently,
only newly-registered businesses, and those with turnovers of more
than £100,000, have to file and pay their VAT online.
The new rules will cover VAT returns filed for accounting periods
beginning on or after 1 April 2012.
If you’re not already filing your VAT online, switching now makes
sense. By doing this, you’ll avoid a last-minute rush, and be able
to enjoy the benefits of online filing sooner rather than later.
These benefits include:
* an automatic acknowledgement that your return has been
received;
* a handy arithmetic checker to help make sure
you’ve done your sums correctly; and
* an email alert to
remind you when your next online return is due (as, after April,
HMRC will stop sending out paper returns to customers who are now
required to file online).
To file your VAT return online, you’ll need to register for
HMRC’s VAT Online Service – visit www.online.hmrc.gov.uk
and click “Register” under the “New user” section. Then follow the instructions.
Affected businesses will also need to set up their preferred
electronic payment method. Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/payinghmrc/vat.htm
for more information on the various options.
Further help and advice is available from HMRC’s website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat. If that
doesn’t answer your question, call the VAT Online Services
Helpdesk on 0845 010 8500 (available between 8am and 6pm, Monday
to Friday).
Notes for editors
1. Newly-registered businesses, and those with turnovers of more
than £100,000, have had to file and pay their VAT online since 1
April 2010.
2. A summary of responses to a recent consultation on the
changes, entitled ‘VAT – consultation on the next steps for moving
VAT online – summary of responses’, is published today on the HMRC
website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget-updates/march2011/draft-tax-finance-bill-2012.htm#6
3. Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk
NAT 99/11
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office Press
enquiries only please contact:
Contacts:
HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
HMRC-Press-office.NDSmanagement@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
Helen Jones
Phone: 020 7147 2328
helen.a.jones@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
HMRC Out of Hours
Phone: 07860 359544
NDS.HMRC@coi.gsi.gov.uk