VAT change with 5 day's notice a massive headache for businesses – except those on Xero

Web-based accounting system Xero makes it easy for small business and their accountants to make the switch to 15% VAT – in fact, no changes are required at all.

With only 5 days’ notice of a major VAT change, most businesses will be stressing about massive changes required. But for businesses using Xero, the worry and problem evaporate instantly.

Xero is online and this means from Monday 1 December all customers will be able to simply logon and the changes required for the VAT rate change will automatically be live in Xero. No additional work, configuration, payment or solution is required.

Xero user Will Noble, MD of Ouvrir is delighted he has to do nothing: “I actually received an email from my accountant about the VAT change when it happened, warning me of the admin burden and systems changes required, but I happily pointed out to him that because I use Xero everything would be taken care of automatically. In fact the only change I needed to make was the standing order I paid his firm as the amount had gone down!

This is exactly why I chose Xero as my accounting software as this is taken care of for me. I am not an accountant and I don’t want to have to work out how to handle changes in VAT – I just want a system that does this all for me.”

Accountant Xero partner Martin Gatehouse from Eacotts explains that conquering a change in VAT effortlessly with 5 days notice is exceptional, and something both his firm and clients are extremely happy about.

“I have just spent most of the day on the telephone and email, advising clients using installed accounting systems on how to deal with the VAT rate change. Xero on the other hand will automatically deliver a smooth transition to the new 15% VAT rate within the software, and explain the process to my clients on time, using the built in Dashboard alert system. Xero has again demonstrated why its system is a winner and a great way for accountants to work with their clients.”

For more information read the Xero blog entry on the VAT change here

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