With the guidance of deferring VAT payments I'm receving many enquiries from clients asking if this means that the return does not need to be submitted. On one hand I'm assuming that the VAT return still needs to be submitted on time only the payment can be deferred but on the other if we are all being sensible and staying inside, how are we supposed to gather the required information in order to submit the VAT return?
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Yes, returns still need to be submitted. Just payment which is being delayed.
Although no-one is there during the day, client's are still dropping records off at our office through the letterbox where they undergo a quarantining of at least 3 days (ie: no-one touches them or moves them) before they are collected by the assigned accountant during the evening.
Unfortunately nothing official about submitting in the (1 paragraph!) of guidance but I'm hoping more info will emerge soon - it was something the HMRC web chat advised yesterday.
Has there been anything said regarding direct debit payments?
I am assuming that no direct debit for returns submitted will be taken over the next 3 months.
The deferral guidance is specific to payment only. Having read threads on other forums where other accountants have spoken to HMRC (I haven't had need to ring yet) this has been confirmed and the HMRC penalty machine still operates automatically...
As for doing the returns - all of the clients I look after are on the cloud so little has changed for them. Some of my colleagues are less fortunate, but we still have our offices open albeit with a much reduced staff base, as most are working from home.