VAT Returns Made Simple & Fast

If your business is VAT registered, you must file a VAT return to HMRC — regardless of its size or turnover.

Most VAT returns are due every three months (quarterly). The deadline is one month and seven days after the end of your VAT period.

Yes — you can file your VAT return online with Online Filings. Our HMRC‑recognised, MTD‑compliant software guides you every step of the way, making it simple and secure to complete your return without an accountant. And if you do have questions, our team of VAT experts is always available to help.

If you miss the VAT return deadline, you may be charged a penalty based on how late you file and the amount of VAT owed:

• 1–5 calendar days late: 2% of the unpaid VAT
• 6–15 calendar days late: 5% of the unpaid VAT
• More than 15 calendar days late: 10% of the unpaid VAT
• More than 10 days after notice: 15% of the unpaid VAT With Online Filings, you’ll receive timely reminders so you never miss a deadline or incur a penalty.

With Online Filings, you’ll receive timely reminders so you never miss a deadline or incur a penalty.

To get started, you’ll only need to provide your VAT Registration Number, Government Gateway details, and Companies House Authentication Code. We’ll also ask you to complete an ID check for anti‑money‑laundering and fraud protection during this one‑off setup. After that, for every VAT return, you’ll only need to supply your income and expense records — nothing more.

We provide an easy‑to‑use template where you copy and paste your sales and purchase figures for the VAT period. You then upload the completed spreadsheet to your VAT Dashboard. Our software uses this data to calculate the VAT you owe or are owed, prepares your VAT return, and securely submits it to HMRC — ensuring an accurate, compliant, and stress‑free filing every time.

Businesses must keep detailed records of all sales, purchases, and VAT invoices to support their VAT returns and for possible audit.

To be compliant with Making Tax Digital (MTD), your VAT returns must be submitted using HMRC‑recognised software. Online Filings is fully accredited and MTD‑compliant, making it simple to file your VAT return online. You’ll receive confirmation and a copy of your return for your records, giving you complete peace of mind every step of the way.

Identity verification is a requirement introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Companies House is moving to a system where all company directors must verify their identity, and this requirement applies to filings submitted through Online Filings.

Online Filings is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) registered with Companies House and is supervised by HMRC for Anti-Money Laundering. Because of these obligations, we must verify the identity of all directors and all users before any filing can be submitted through our platform. This protects the integrity of the service and ensures that every filing we process is valid and compliant with UK law.

Directors using Online Filings must therefore complete identity verification before we can submit their filing. The process is fast, secure and takes less than two minutes on your smartphone. You can verify your identity using a UK driving licence, a UK passport or an international passport.

Online Filings is officially approved by Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. This status means we are trusted to submit your company filings directly to Companies House on your behalf, following rigorous compliance and security standards required by UK law.

As an ACSP, we must:

• Verify the identity of directors and people with significant control (PSCs) using government-approved processes.
• Follow strict anti-money laundering checks overseen by Companies House and a UK supervisory body such as HMRC.
• Protect your company from fraud and ensure your filings are always accurate, secure, and fully compliant with UK regulations.

Using Online Filings means your documents are managed by a government-recognised and highly regulated provider, giving you a smoother, safer, and more reliable experience.