Set up your VAT registration

Before Kontala can prepare VAT returns, it needs the details from your VAT registration certificate. Only owners and admins can edit VAT settings - everyone else sees them read-only.

Enter your registration details

1. Open the account menu (the button showing your company name, top right) and choose VAT Registration.
2. Under Are you VAT Registered?, choose Registered.
3. Enter your VAT Registration Number - the 9 digit number on your VAT registration certificate.
4. Fill in the dates from your certificate: Effective Date of VAT Registration and First VAT return period end date. Copy them exactly.
5. Choose your Frequency of returns (Monthly, Quarterly, or Annually) and your VAT Accounting Basis (Invoice or Cash).
6. Select Save changes.

Kontala checks the registration number as you save, so a mistyped digit is caught straight away.

You can also record whether you use non-standard VAT rates, whether you are on the Flat Rate Scheme (and your percentage), and whether to include pre-registration expenses on your first return. If you are not sure what your certificate says, see HMRC's guidance on VAT registration.

How your periods are generated

Kontala generates your return periods from these settings, up to the present day. Your first period runs from your effective date to your first return period end, and every later period follows your chosen frequency. They appear under VAT in the top navigation - see VAT periods and due dates.

Changing the frequency only affects future VAT returns.

Next step

To file online, connect Kontala to HMRC.