Submit a VAT return

Once you have reviewed your return, filing takes a moment.

Before you start

• Your organisation is connected to HMRC.
• The VAT period has ended - a period still in progress cannot be submitted.
• You have the Full Access permission level - see User permission levels.

Submit to HMRC

1. Open the return from VAT and choose Submit to HMRC.
2. A confirmation dialog shows the period, its dates, and the net VAT to pay or reclaim. Submitting is final and cannot be undone.
3. Read the legal declaration. When you submit, you are declaring that the information is true and complete - a false declaration can result in prosecution.
4. Choose Agree and submit.

Kontala sends the nine boxes to HMRC through the Making Tax Digital API.

What HMRC sends back

On success you see a confirmation with your receipt number, called the form bundle number, and a payment reference when there is VAT to pay. Keep the receipt number for your records.

The return's status changes to Filed, and the transactions in the period lock so the filed figures can never drift - see After you file.

If HMRC does not accept it

The rejection message appears in the dialog, and nothing is saved as filed. See Fix a rejected VAT submission for the common causes and fixes.