This you will not believe

**************!!!!

Didn't find your answer?

Conversation last November with client, who hates computers and does his accounting in a Simplex book. (Turnover approx £350k)

Me "Are you aware that you will need to send HMRC your VAT returns via a computer from next April"

Client "Yes don't worry I'm getting a computer system"

Phone call today

Client "How do I file my July VAT return? I decided not to get any software"

Me "***************************!!!!!!!!"

Gentlemen

I've managed to keep clear of MTD. How long will it take to register the idiot ? Any useful tips to speed up the process??

Replies (11)

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By Richard Grant
20th Aug 2019 10:54

You will need a Government gateway set up for him, which I would guess you have for filing anyway. Via that you can access his VAT account and register for MTD. It's not to long (I can't remember but a few days).
Get linking software (spreadsheet ) and submit that way to start with. The spreadsheet method is quick and cheap so you can easily get his figures and put them on.
Don't forget you have until the 6th of Sept to file so a tight deadline but not impossible.

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By bernard michael
20th Aug 2019 11:00

Thanks !!

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By bernard michael
20th Aug 2019 11:06

Just picked this up from Sift advice posting

HMRC advised businesses that didn’t make the August deadline to file their return as they have done previously, such as via the VAT portal.

Sounds like a good short term solution for the July return. and gives time to register for MTD

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
20th Aug 2019 11:06

I wouldn't bust a gut, the old portal will still be open, and you can file from there with no penalties for this quarter, and probably not until next year.

Even once you are hooked up to the new filing method HMRC wont of course know HOW the numbers have been prepared if you use 'what you normally do' linked to bridging software which should give you some time to get them vaguely compliant before HMRC the time and resources to start checking up on what happens at the client's end of things.

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By bernard michael
20th Aug 2019 11:12

I don't prepare the client's VAT return but might have to get involved if he files for MTD
Meanwhile it seems we just carry on as usual

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Replying to bernard michael:
By kenny achampong
20th Aug 2019 17:56

MTD isn't working at the moment, not sure how long it's been going on but it was switched off yesterday and today you just get message.

"You cannot access the service from this page"

After going round in circles to see what had changed since I last did it, I finally did manage to speak to somebody at the VAT office and they said 'VAT MTD is closed for maintenance'

More brilliant work from HMRC.

So I would use the old portal if I were you.

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Replying to kenny achampong:
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By johnhemming
20th Aug 2019 18:31

MTD was working today. It was supposed to be switched off until 4pm yesterday. It was switched back on a bit late, but before 5pm yesterday.

I have just checked and MTD is working now.

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Replying to johnhemming:
By kenny achampong
21st Aug 2019 11:51

It was definitely not working between 5 and 6 yesterday, which wouldnt be too much of a problem if it told you 'we are closed for maintenance' or 'there is a problem please try later'. But telling you that you are logging in at the wrong place, and giving you a link to hmrc.gov.uk to locate the new log in area is beyond stupid, it's ridiculous. Such a waste of time. I've said it before but they have totally forgotten that our clients are acting as unpaid tax collectors for them, and they have to pay us for HMRC stupidity, mistakes and breakdowns.

But you are right, it worked today, the original ASA log in hadnt changed at all. It was just another half hour or more wasted.

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Replying to kenny achampong:
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By johnhemming
21st Aug 2019 12:13

I think it is different aspects of the system. The whole of MTD was down at the weekend.

I think yesterday it was possible for people to sign up with client credentials, but not via the ASA.

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Replying to johnhemming:
By kenny achampong
21st Aug 2019 12:41

True, that's what it was, the message just said you could no longer log in via ASA and suggesting searching the HMRC site to find out where the new log in was, but that just got you back to where you started.

That's a worry that the whole system was down for a couple of days, hopefully there was a message telling us that.

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Replying to kenny achampong:
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By johnhemming
21st Aug 2019 13:37

I put on my website as up to date a position as I can find:
https://www.vat.direct

I am trying to get some of the information from HMRC that is not currently being published about changes. (particularly to the ASA etc) However, I have not yet had a response to my chase messages earlier this week.

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