How to submit VAT returns online?
Once your VAT list is updated in Bokio you can select a period to submit and record. You can only submit a VAT return once the period has ended. For the current and upcoming periods you can only view the VAT returns.
Step 1 - Review and submit VAT return
Select the period you want to submit.
You will then go to the detailed page of that VAT return. At the top of the page you will see the most important information such as submission due date, payment due date and the payable or receivable amount from HMRC. Make sure you submit on time to avoid any additional fees.
Review your VAT return before submitting it to HMRC and make sure:
- All your customer and supplier invoices have been recorded for the period
- All other income and expenses have been recorded for the period
- Your bank statements matches the balance in account 1200
- All balance sheet accounts are correct
- Run the VAT checker to ensure that everything is posted correctly
If everything looks good you can submit the VAT return to HMRC by pressing the button “Review and submit”. You will then get an overview of what will happen and how your journal entry will look like for this period.
If your VAT is zero you will still need to submit the VAT return to HMRC.
Step 2 - Record VAT payment
After submitting your VAT return you will have to pay or receive money from HMRC. This needs to be done before you can record the VAT payment and complete the VAT return. Read more about how to pay or receive money from HMRC here.
When the transaction has been registered on your bank account you can record the payment by clicking the button “Record and complete”. Select the payment account, the payment date and the amount. Press “Register payment ” to mark your VAT return as completed.
You also have the option to use the checkbox “I have already recorded this”. You should use this if you have recorded the VAT payment outside the VAT return flow, i.e. by using the regular bookkeeping flow. Selecting this option will allow you to complete the VAT return and mark it as done. We recommend you to record all your VAT payments inside of each VAT return to get a better overview.
Submit VAT Returns the easy way
When you do your bookkeeping with Bokio, you can automatically generate a VAT Return for Making Tax Digital! It’s easy to check and submit, so you can be compliant without the hassle.
Find out more