Building a VAT return from the books

Building and submitting a return

1. Start the return

   On the VAT tab, under "Start a return", press "Build from the books" against the period. Once the practice is connected to HMRC the list shows HMRC's open periods.

2. Check the boxes

   "The nine boxes" shows each figure. Click a figure to see the transactions behind it. Anything that stops the return being submitted is listed at the top, and warnings sit under "To check".

3. Ask the client to approve

   Use "Make an approval link". See client approval of a VAT return.

4. Submit

   Tick the declaration and press "Submit to HMRC". HMRC's receipt is kept with the return, and its journals are locked.

5. Settle it in the books

   Press "Post the settlement journal", then record the payment to HMRC or the repayment.

When the books change

If anything in the period changes after the return was built, submission is refused until you press "Rebuild from the books". A rebuild that changes the figures withdraws the client's approval request.

Entries dated before the period that were never in a submitted return are brought into the next return, from the date set in VAT settings.

Submission

Submission to HMRC switches on once HMRC has recognised Accountin and issued its software credentials. Until then the screen says sending is not switched on yet, and everything up to the send works: building, checking and the client's approval.