Vital excel bridging software for MTD comes with high expectations, or so I thought. Can anybody tell me where I am going wrong.
I have set-up Vital Tax both in office 365 desktop version/excel online.
In the drop-down menu it says that there are 'No oustanding VAT Returns found for period 01 April 19 to 30 June 19 ' and under 'submitted VAT Returns for same period it says that 'No outstanding VAT returns found.
I have telephone HMRC VAT and they says that there is one VAT return o/s for the above period that is 01 April 19 to 30 June 19. Therefore, I am confused.
How have other subscribers found this piece of software and have they used it successfully? If so, can anyone think what I am doing wrong.
For info. purposes I have given authority for Vital Tax at HMRC and I can see this authority when I follow the link to the HMRC website.
Kind regards
Replies (19)
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I can understand why that might be, but would have to run diagnostics to be sure. If you would like me to do that email me.
There may be some checks I can do that you cannot do. I don't know how Vital Tax works, but I do know how MTD works.
HMRC have said that there are obligations you can get if you query the API with a start date of 1st May 2019. That may be the problem. I don't know whether Vital Tax does that or not.
What HMRC said to me today was:
"If you are still experiencing this error, please attempt to submit the return with a start date on or after 1st May. "
My clients are not experiencing this error, but obviously you might be.
I am quite happy to help if you email me during the day tomorrow, but I have gone home now and I don't want to do phone calls from home.
To determine if the issue is with Vital Tax or with HMRC, use another MTD for VAT solution (which is perfectly acceptable to do) such as Easy MTD VAT (https://easymtdvat.com).
If Easy MTD VAT displays your missing VAT return (open obligation) then Vital Tax is at fault. If not, then it's likely a HMRC issue.
I would sign into https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/business-account and go to 'Your VAT account>Return deadlines'. This will show if there are any outstanding MTD VAT returns on HMRC's system. That is more reliable probably than talking to someone at HMRC.
There has been an issue with obligations found in some part of HMRC's systems, but not appearing on the API.
Alternatively this could be the nature of the outstanding obligations API call.
You are, however, right that looking at the government gateway is a good idea.
I am happy to talk to you on the phone about this tomorrow if it is not sorted. I have various other things to do tomorrow so would ask that you email me and we arrange a time at which I will phone you. If you don't email me I will assume someone else is sorting it out for you and you don't need any assistance. ([email protected])
It shouldn't take much time to sort it out.
I have a way of working. I don't mind doing things for free, but people have to fit in with my way of working. That is that I agree via email a time for a phone call and speak to people at that time. I am just about to go to the pub to have breakfast (I eat at Wetherspoons, I don't believe in boycotting the pub just because the CEO and I disagree about international trade rules).
Looking at the messages it sounds like you have not signed up the account to MTD.
Check the old gateway and see if the returns are there and if they are then submit them the old way.
Failing that email me if you wish me to help.
The error is an error 403.
That means the authority is wrong.
That can mean one of a number of things
a) Someone hasn't joined MTD
b) An account is not on the ASA
c) You have used the wrong credentials
I remain happy to talk to David on the phone, but he has to email me to arrange a time. I have just cancelled (postponed) a phone call which was scheduled for 10am, so the 10am slot is available.
I should have added that if the outstanding return is not shown on your business taxes account your only option is to contact HMRC. No MTD application can submit a return not shown as outstanding.
If the return is listed as outstanding, check the obvious (correct VAT number set up in your MTD application if you deal with more than one business) and then contact your software vendor.
I've just done my first return using the Vital Tax add-in and it worked very smoothly. You do need to make sure that none of the linked cells is empty, so insert zeros where necessary. Apart from that, it could not have been any easier.