After you file

Paying HMRC and what to expect once your VAT return has been submitted.

Last updated 10 July 2026.

Filing your return tells HMRC what you owe. Paying it is a separate step, made directly to HMRC.

Paying your VAT

Kontala does not take payment - you pay HMRC directly using their published methods (bank transfer, Direct Debit, card, and others). See HMRC's guide to paying your VAT bill.

For standard quarterly returns, the deadline to submit and pay is usually one calendar month and 7 days after the end of your VAT period. Always confirm your own dates - HMRC shows them for your business, and Kontala's deadline countdown tracks them for you. Check the current rules on VAT return deadlines.

Verify tax dates against your own HMRC account before relying on them. Rules and dates can change.

What happens next

  • Your submission stays in your audit trail.
  • Kontala rolls forward and starts tracking your next VAT period automatically.