Submitting VAT Return Direct from Sage 50

We use Sage Line 50 (V 19) and an article the latest Sagecover Newsletter prompted me to revisit the VAT return submission functionality included in the current version of the program.

At the moment, we compile the VAT return using Sage, but I then submit the return manually via the HMRC website.  Clearly submitting direct from Sage 50 would save us a lot of time, but my reluctance to do this stems from a suspicion - which Sage was unable to refute when questioned about it a few years ago - that the Sage program may be submitting more than the bear minimum of information required to complete a return.  When filling in the return myself, I know I am just putting in the totals of (for example) Sales and Purchases, and I am completely comfortable with HMRC conducting occasional inspections / audits of my data to check I am doing things correctly - which they do.

However, I do not wish Sage to submit any additional, unnecessary information via their program routine, such as details of the individual transactions which comprise those Sales and Purchases totals, thus enabling HMRC to go on a fishing trip, in the unlikely event that they find themselves with time on their hands!

I have no proof or information to indicate that my suspicions have any founding, but I would appreciate others views on this before committing to that particular module of Sage 50.

Thanks

Neil