Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTD) was introduced on 1 April 2019 but we are increasingly finding that clients who we do not prepare VAT returns for are not yet registered. Registration for MTD is not automatic and needs to be done via the government gateway.
Any business with a turnover in excess of £85,000 which is VAT registered must comply with this new legislation. This means that for all VAT periods beginning on or after 1 April 2019, you must have digital records.
Despite the legislation being mandatory, businesses still need to register through the government gateway although you should also have received a letter from HMRC reminding you of this requirement.
The timetable for registering depends on numerous factors but we have produced a simplified timetable for all VAT registered businesses:-
| Submit last return | Allow payment to clear by | Registration window | |
| Quarter ended March 2019 | 7 May | 15 May | 16 May – 30 July |
| Quarter ended April 2019 | 7 June | 15 June | 16 June – 30 August |
| Quarter ended May 2019 | 7 July | 15 July | 16 July – 29 September |
When you come to register your business for making tax digital, you will need to visit: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/.
Once there, you will need to set up a government gateway account, and have to hand the business VAT number, registration details, your company number (if you are incorporated) and you will need to answer a series of questions to confirm identity etc.
If you pay by direct debit, you must have an email address in order to complete your registration.
As ever, if you would prefer not to undertake the registration yourself, please contact us and we will be happy to provide this as a service.