MTD VAT Return using bridging software

[wood1e2]

hi

I am using bridging software/excel to submit my VAT return, there should be a refund but the bridging software is showing a positive.

Last quarter it should have been negative and I didn't notice or think the software would return a positive.

So this quarter I don't really want to return a positive figure again, so I tried another bridging software and it is showing the same positive figure?!?!

This is one of the bridging software: https://www.screencast.com/t/sXg6O69TaP2 and the other software: https://www.screencast.com/t/qR8JiZxcO3

Any ideas why this would be ?

I am thinking of delaying submission while I wait for both software support to come back to me.

 

[SteveHa]

Box 5 is always a positive value. Refund is determined by which of box 3 or box 4 is higher.

 

[wood1e2]

I know that so have a look at this: https://www.screencast.com/t/5JA3rOgip2 still a positive, and look at this: https://www.screencast.com/t/aDinMXEv

Whatever I put in Box 4 the Box 5 remains positive. Which you would think is fine.

But last quarter HMRC took the positive figure in Box 5 as payment. And sent a letter request payment!!

So how do I return a 'refund VAT return' under MTD using bridging software?

so far

VitalTax - cannot complete a negative/refund VAT return
123 Efiling - cannot complete a negative/refund VAT return
Ftax - won't allow you to complete a VAT return unless you also give them Corporation Tax or Self Assessment - something I don't need to give.

I suspect I am completing something wrong every time... so if someone could help or provide a Bridging Software that works. I will be most happy

 

[John Hemming]

I have not yet had a vat return I could not submit with MTD. If you want me to sort this out with you during the week then email me at [email protected]

It looks, however, from your screen scrapes as if you are trying to put a negative figure in Box 4 which HMRC take as being you being sent a credit note. That is not a refund.

You need to have a positive amount in Box 4.

 

[SteveHa]

John's correct. Entering a negative in box 4 creates a liability. Boxes 3, 4 and 5 should all be positive.

 

[justintime]

Hopefully this is just a random figure because the VAT on £60 is £12!

Just for reference Box 4 should be a positive figure as said, and HMRC will know if it's a payment or refund based on deducting box 4 from box 3. If Box 4 is higher than box 3 they know it's a refund.

 

[John Hemming]

It is possible to have a return where boxes 3 and 4 are negative, but box 5 will still be positive.

 

[urstop]

I know that so have a look at this: https://www.screencast.com/t/5JA3rOgip2 still a positive, and look at this: https://www.screencast.com/t/aDinMXEv

Whatever I put in Box 4 the Box 5 remains positive. Which you would think is fine.

But last quarter HMRC took the positive figure in Box 5 as payment. And sent a letter request payment!!

So how do I return a 'refund VAT return' under MTD using bridging software?

so far

VitalTax - cannot complete a negative/refund VAT return
123 Efiling - cannot complete a negative/refund VAT return
Ftax - won't allow you to complete a VAT return unless you also give them Corporation Tax or Self Assessment - something I don't need to give.

I suspect I am completing something wrong every time... so if someone could help or provide a Bridging Software that works. I will be most happy

Some if not all of the bridging software in the market convert your box 5 value to a positive figure to submit VAT digitally. So, if you see positive figure in box 5 when you expect it to be negative is fine.

You can try https://accountsdesk.co.uk/mtd bridging software and it works fine with negative box 5 values.

 

[John Hemming]

In principle I am uncomfortable with changing the data being submitted beyond rounding the figures. That is because it could fix things the wrong way.

 

[Easy MTD VAT]

Even the old/existing HMRC submission portal expected a positive box 5 value I believe!

 

[John Hemming]

The old portal calculated it as a positive value, people did not type it in.