Making tax digital for VAT penalties will apply from November

HMRC chief executive Jim Harra has written to accountancy firm to tell them clients will not be able to use their existing VAT online account to file their quarterly or monthly VAT returns from 1 November 2022.

‘Businesses that file annual VAT returns will still be able to use their VAT online account until 15 May 2023.

‘By law VAT-registered businesses must now sign up to making tax digital (MTD) and use MTD-compatible software to keep their VAT records and file their VAT returns. 

‘If your clients do not sign up for MTD and file their VAT returns through MTD-compatible software they may have to pay a penalty. The best way for businesses to avoid penalties is to start using MTD now.’

If clients are already exempt from filing VAT returns online or if they or their business are subject to an insolvency procedure they...