MTD Bridging Software - any preferences?

We're looking at taxcalc on initial looks..

Didn't find your answer?

Hi all,

Just taking a break from filing those last minute tax returns so thought I'd ask the wonderful AM community which bridging software you're all considering using?

I've had a look at the videos/ demos of a few and quite like taxcalc, any thoughts/suggestions/experiences yet?

Thanks!

Replies (22)

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By Tim Vane
18th Jan 2019 10:38

Do you use taxcalc for returns and accounts? If so it makes sense. I’m just going to use Taxfiler for VAT as I already use it for everything else. They all do the same thing as far as I can see.

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Replying to Tim Vane:
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By tom123
18th Jan 2019 10:55

I didn't realise Taxfiler can do MTDfVAT - is it an extra you have to subscribe to?

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Replying to tom123:
By Tim Vane
18th Jan 2019 11:14

Their newsletter says it will be included from Feb and handles VT and spreadsheets.

Thanks (3)
Replying to Tim Vane:
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By colinx
19th Feb 2019 11:50

Hi Tim,

Where are you picking up the Taxfiler newsletter? I've done a google search and - nothing

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Replying to Tim Vane:
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By imran
18th Jan 2019 11:26

should have said, we usually use standard excel templates we've used for years so nope. hence why we're quite open to most bridging options.

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Replying to Tim Vane:
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By euromd
30th Jan 2019 11:16

Just joined the HMRC Pilot and successfully filed first digital VAT return using "VAT Return Manager (MTD) from Neilsonjamestech.co.uk
Neil there is a wealth of knowledge too. The API runs in Excel and if we an do it anyone can!

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By acceje
18th Jan 2019 11:12

VT are developing a bridging product - I'm going to wait for that to be ready.

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Replying to acceje:
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By Yorkshireblue
24th Jan 2019 10:42

VT are saying it will be ready for the first submissions after the April date, ie, July. Would really prefer to have a peek at it before a final decision is made before committing to it.

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By Hugh Simpson
18th Jan 2019 11:53

Have a look at VitalTax.

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Replying to Hugh Simpson:
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By ShayaG
24th Jan 2019 16:38

Has anyone used VitalTax? What is their pricing structure?

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By leicsred
18th Jan 2019 12:21

We've got the BTC one, looks decent. It is February's job to set it up and make sure I understand it.

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By mfbrown185
22nd Jan 2019 17:09

We use Tax Calc for self assessment and corporation tax returns filing. We have gone with Taxcalcs VAT filer and are using this to file to Government Gateway at the moment. It should be a relatively simple task to then move over to MTD once their VAT Filer software is ready.
Obviously can't use their Exel bridging software yet but it looks straight forward (fingers crossed)

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By maldeco
23rd Jan 2019 15:29

I’ve had a look at TaxCalcs VAT Filer, and it looks nice and easy to use, maybe too easy?

All you do is click on Import Source Data, locate your Excel file, and then map which cells on the spreadsheet relates to the seven boxes on the VAT return (box 3 and 5 being automatically calculated).

However from my understanding this doesn’t ensure compliance with MTD. I thought that for Excel based accounting the figures reported for VAT must be digitally linked to the initial inputted data. Yet on TaxCalc VAT Filer you can use a spreadsheet that is not linked to the initial inputted data and still file. For example, I have a client that prepares two worksheets every quarter, one listing all the sale invoices they have raised, and the other listing and categorising the expenses they have incurred. I then extract the lines that are reportable for VAT onto a separate spreadsheet (by means of copy and paste), to prepare the VAT workings for said client to approve. VAT Filer lets me use this same spreadsheet as the Source Data even though it is not digitally linked to the clients’ worksheets.

Of course I can amend my work method to link my VAT spreadsheet to the clients’ spreadsheets, but is anyone going to actually police this?

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By pauljohnston
27th Feb 2019 05:30

Look at the offering from PTP. Tim Goode said it was compliant. Tim has pointed out that I mentioned the wrong company name I should have said https://www.absoluteexcelvatfiler.co.uk/

I have seen it in action.

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Replying to pauljohnston:
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By Tim Good
24th Jan 2019 14:30

Thanks Paul. My company is Absolute (www.absoluteexcelvatfiler.co.uk) not PTP!

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By HeatherSimpson
24th Jan 2019 10:00

QuickBooks Online are promising bridging software, so I may wait for that. However, as I understand it, cut and paste is out but '=' (the other spreadsheet total) and mapping is a digital link isn't it?

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By Charlie Carne
24th Jan 2019 10:36

I would use the opportunity to move every business with turnover in excess of £85k who is on spreadsheets to a quality cloud bookkeeping solution, unless you're using a desktop product that can (or will) handle MTD (eg VT). You'll save so much time by using a proper accounting solution that the small monthly cost is insignificant compared to the savings in time lost trying to reconcile banks, sales & purchase ledgers, etc. from a DIY spreadsheet that does not include all of those reconciliation tools.

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Replying to charliecarne:
By coolmanwithbeard
24th Jan 2019 11:00

This has been my tactic for years. I use QuickBooks and both the desktop and online versions are MTD compatible. They are launching bridging software too in time for use which will help where there are groups or schemes to deal with (but FRS is already built in to the standard offering).

I accept spreadsheets from clients for information gathering but we do not use it for book keeping

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SamPayne
By SamPayne
24th Jan 2019 10:40

I'm looking at btcsoftware, they have a webinar in a couple of weeks - https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2229488919978099714

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By sarahcc
25th Jan 2019 23:54

http://www.vatmtd.co.uk/ - this looks great - simple, automated solution

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Replying to MadeOfStarStuff:
By JCresswellTax
05th Apr 2019 16:50

it's also your software, do you think we are daft?

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Replying to MadeOfStarStuff:
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By Cheshire
05th Apr 2019 17:01

Your conf stmt is overdue

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