I realise that the MTD for VAT software is not yet ready but I would have thought HMRC could answer a couple of very basic queries not about the software. Apparently not so.
I recently wrote to the VAT Written Enquires Team to ask about the procedure for obtaining exemption from MTD for VAT for my 86 year old client (still trading) but who does not have a computer (and won't be getting one!).
I also asked whether taxpayers will be required to opt-in to MTD if they thought their turnover in the twelve months after 1.4.19 would exceed £85000 or whether perhaps HMRC would automatically opt-in taxpayers on the basis of the turnover reported in their four previous quarterly VAT returns.
Six weeks later the HMRC response included 'Currently HMRC have invited a small number of businesses to participate in a trial of MTD for Business. I have contacted the team responsible for the trial to establish how this will affect your scenarios. As you can appreciate they are still conducting the trial and as such do not have clear instructions yet. Once I have more informaion, I will contact you again'
Reading between the lines I think this is code for - 'Put it out of your mind for now. We have'
Replies (6)
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The sort that would allow HMRC to state that 100% of taxpayers had chosen to take part.
You read it here first ...
Come off it, no-one has a clue if this will even happen yet, let along what exceptions there might be, or what the procedures are.
It will be "make it up as you go along" time if its ever launched.
I understood that there were already systems in place where people claimed exemption from online filing, as it is already mandatory, and that these were going to remain the same? Is that not the case?
Also, I was told that the only difference between online filing now and next April was that the software to use to file had to be MTD compliant - the information collection and the operation of VAT including registration procedures were unaltered
Conversely, I have a small industrial property business - which has to be vat registered, but with a t/o of £10k.
Currently, easily filing online.
Under the new rules, I guess I could submit on paper if I didn't want to spend on software.
All this for one sales invoice per quarter (generally)..