User friendly and flexible MTD for VAT software?

I would be grateful for an independent opinion for a user friendly and flexible MTDfVAT software

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I would be grateful for some type of independent opinion on the most user friendly and flexible Making Tax Digital for VAT software for an Accountant to be able to somehow cope with his typical one man business clients who typically provide incomplete/messy/error prone “spreadsheets” (sometimes several) on excel (or OpenOffice) and who are certainly not capable of coping with the fuller/double entry etc type software?

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By GHarr497688
21st Feb 2019 18:08

Telling you what not to use may help and they are SAGE ONE and Clearbooks. Sage one is slow and not user friendly . Clearbooks seemed ok but when the system froze and no one even gets back to from the helpline it does not inspire confidence. Xero is the best of a bad lot. The softwares generally are not user friendly and designed with someone who understand accounts so no good for your chip shop owner. I hope this helps. Clients records will be in such a mess I really give up. HMRC will be the loser in the end .

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Replying to GHarr497688:
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By [email protected]
22nd Feb 2019 12:41

Thank you and I agree with your last communication 100%!! Despite the poor quality “spreadsheets” I receive (usually Excel e-mailed to me – which I open using my Open Office software) I am, currently at least, more or less assuming that my only real practical option is to somehow continue using said “spreadsheets” and therefore I need software which includes relevant Bridging Software! Are their any in particular which you can confidently recommend?

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By johnhemming
21st Feb 2019 19:30

Most of the bridging suppliers are offering a free service at least initially. If I were in your position I would try some of them out. Some are specifically for Excel, others can process other spreadsheets directly. Obviously it is possible to load other Open Office (or Libre Office) files into Excel, but you might find it better to use a service that can take data directly from open office.

I am, however, not independent in this issue.

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Replying to johnhemming:
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By [email protected]
22nd Feb 2019 12:53

Thank you! I receive “spreadsheets”, usually Excel, e-mailed to me – which I open using my Open Office software. Is that relevant - eg would I "find it better to use a service that can take data directly from open office"?!

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Replying to [email protected]:
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By johnhemming
27th Feb 2019 12:32

If I were you I would try out the different options to find which is the most efficient for you. Some software will take things directly from open office (mine will), but some of it requires excel.

You also should look at how the software handles multiple vat accounts as managing the process of joining the MTD scheme, granting authority and then doing a submission can be a bit confusing (merely because there are multiple steps and it isn't always clear which ones you have taken). Some software makes this clearer than other software. Hence you could find much less of your time is needed doing things on one system than another.

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By johnhemming
21st Feb 2019 20:05

duplicated in error

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Replying to Duggimon:
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By johnhemming
22nd Feb 2019 09:17

This, however, is the exhaustive list of suppliers:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/software-for-sending-income-tax-updates

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By faheem.aslam
22nd Feb 2019 09:02

Hi
You don't need to use double entry software to be MTD compliant . I have found out and it has been confirmed to me by the software developer that it is still only totals that are submitted on a quarterly VAT return. So all you need is a bridging software and a spreadsheet which it can be linked to with the VAT box figures in it. Then you use the Bridging software to submit your returns. Hope this helps.

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Replying to faheem.aslam:
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By [email protected]
22nd Feb 2019 12:58

Thank you and I agree! Despite the poor quality “spreadsheets” I receive (usually Excel e-mailed to me – which I open using my Open Office software) I am, currently at least, more or less assuming that my only real practical option is to somehow continue using said “spreadsheets” and therefore I need software which includes relevant Bridging Software! Are their any in particular which you can confidently recommend?

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By SJRUK
22nd Feb 2019 10:40

We'll be using Absolute as one option but I've literally just looked at Vitaltax which seems an easy solution as bridging software too.

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Replying to SJRUK:
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By [email protected]
22nd Feb 2019 13:03

Thank you! Despite the poor quality “spreadsheets” I receive (usually Excel e-mailed to me – which I open using my Open Office software) I am, currently at least, more or less assuming that my only real practical option is to somehow continue using said “spreadsheets” and therefore I need software which includes relevant Bridging Software! Are their any others in particular which you can confidently recommend?

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Replying to SJRUK:
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By faheem.aslam
22nd Feb 2019 14:20

i have looked at Absolute too, not too expensive either for 10 clients at £40 plus VAT.

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Replying to faheem.aslam:
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By [email protected]
22nd Feb 2019 16:10

Thanks. So are you saying it looks appropriate?

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By Annie Turner
27th Feb 2019 10:11

I have several clients who are on the Margin Scheme VAT, one in particular wants to use an accounting software. Sage seems to be the software that deals with the margin scheme. Sage is too complicated for my client does anyone now of other software that deals with the margin scheme and second hand cars

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Replying to Annie Turner:
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By GHarr497688
27th Feb 2019 10:53

The whole thing is a farce , unless you are trained in accountancy using software is nigh on impossible which means clients are forced to employ someone or use an accountant at substantial cost to them . HMRC do not care they need to justify the money wasted on a scheme doomed to failure. Not one single comment saying that this is good for business.

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By mavis02455
28th Feb 2019 10:21

Have a look at VT transaction software

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By andypop
28th Feb 2019 10:45

Adminsoft is available as a free or paid for accounting system and has incorporated MTD into it. In my opinion is a very viable alternative to Sage for small businesses. It also mentions using it as bridging software in its help files.

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By daveforbes
28th Feb 2019 11:03

Our software will pick up and transmit data from an OpenOffice spreadsheet (as well as various others). www.tax.co.uk/mtd/

As mentioned by others, it is only the totals that are transmitted but you should be keeping all the transaction data electronically too in order to comply with the rules.

David

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By Guilford Accounting
28th Feb 2019 12:21

Another vote for VT Transaction+. Take the 'poor' spreadsheet and enter the figures into VT and you'll have the accounts done for the year end as well. Their software will have a MTD compatible link by July they have said.
Still the best desktop bookkeeping software.

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