VT Transaction and MTD

Attempting to submit Vat return and being advised that the Vat number does not match

Didn't find your answer?

Having already filed a return, operating VT Transaction, I am aware how straightforward it can be. The return filed was a monthly version.

I've come to file my first quarterly return and, when I select "submit Vat return to HMRC" I'm given a message, which clearly states that the Vat number does not match. The message follows with a series of checks, all of which, when linked, provide confirmation that the client has already been signed up. I've taken screenshots of the various messages. 

In any event, this doesn't bring about a solution and, it would be useful to know if any fellow members have experienced this type of event and, if they have, how they resolved the impasse?

Replies (19)

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By johnhemming
15th Sep 2019 14:34

The vat number that goes to HMRC should have no spaces in it. What I do is to take out any spaces in the number before sending it, but others may not do this.

Try the vat number on vies just to be certain:
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/

This is the sort of situation where it helps to have another MTD supplier available as you can check things out via the other supplier to work out if it is a problem with the supplier or the way HMRC 's records are set up. (which affects all suppliers)

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Replying to johnhemming:
Oaklea
By Chris.Mann
15th Sep 2019 14:53

Again, extremely grateful for the responses, particularly on a Sunday afternoon.
Having checked the Vat registration number, on VIES, the number (copied from VT Transaction) has been verified.

Whilst I appreciate what you're saying, about alternative software, doesn't all of this "faff" demonstrate the frailty of the whole MTD arrangement? With respect, I don't have alternative software, to enable me to produce; annual accounts, personal and corporate tax returns and, having made the plunge, across to the MTD arrangement, I don't have the safety net, to revert back to the previous HMRC portal. What alternatives might be suggested?

Whilst I want to embrace all of this technology, when; you can't see any logic to the messages coming back at you and, you can't see the wood for the trees and, the first think you think about, when you wake up in the night, is MTD, it really does show the futility of the whole fiasco! Yes, I appreciate that many other accountants will, seemingly, see MTD to be an absolute blast. At the moment, I'm struggling with those views. I only see it akin to HS2.

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Replying to Chris.Mann:
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By Matrix
15th Sep 2019 16:06

Have you granted authority to the client in VT and can you see the next open VAT period?

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Replying to Chris.Mann:
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By johnhemming
15th Sep 2019 16:20

I have gone to Bournemouth in part for a conference and in part to play a gig at that conference and will be back in my office on Wednesday. If you still have the problem by then email me at [email protected] and I will see what it can do to help.

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Easy MTD VAT
By EasyMTDVAT
16th Sep 2019 09:46

You can do a quick test to rule out an issue with VT using a variety of free to use MTD for VAT software such as our own... Easy MTD VAT (https://easymtdvat.com). You can grant authority to multiple MTD solutions so using another is perfectly acceptable.

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Replying to EasyMTDVAT:
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By vtsoftware
16th Sep 2019 10:03

There is no question of it being a software issue with VT. Your advice would waste the OP's time for the purpose of promoting your own software, as you frequently do on this site.

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Replying to vtsoftware:
Easy MTD VAT
By EasyMTDVAT
16th Sep 2019 10:36

At the point I responded, the OP still wanted to know how to resolve the issue and they had not received help (within the post at least) from yourselves.

Using another solution to see if the same issue occurs is a perfectly good suggestion to help rule out whether the problem is software or HMRC related. I was offering Easy MTD VAT as a solution because there would be no cost involved and minimal "waste of time" for the OP.

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Replying to EasyMTDVAT:
Oaklea
By Chris.Mann
16th Sep 2019 10:45

Let's not let the facts get lost in translation.
I encountered this problem, on Saturday morning and, posted my comments, on the Aweb site, only yesterday.
I was hoping that one of the members may have encountered the same issue, as I had. I had no expectation that anyone, from VT Software, would have responded, over the weekend. Indeed, as soon as I had the need to contact VT Software, I received almost immediate assistance, for which I'm grateful.
I've never had any intention of alternating my software requirements, away from VT. The issue is obviously of my doing, for which I've put my hand up. Nuff said!

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Replying to Chris.Mann:
Easy MTD VAT
By EasyMTDVAT
16th Sep 2019 11:20

I'm happy the matter is now resolved.

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Replying to EasyMTDVAT:
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By vtsoftware
16th Sep 2019 11:36

Might I suggest, as a matter of etiquette on this site, that you do not self promote your own product on other vendor's support threads?

As you know, the OP has the classic MTD error and it is highly unlikely to be a software fault regardless of the vendor. Your motives for giving the advice are however blindingly obvious.

I downloaded your software, albeit a few months ago, so these are the steps:

Downloaded software
Granted authority
Entered some dates
Got a spurious message about an invalid date, even though it was valid
Ignored message - software allowed me to continue
Emulated the same error the current OP has
Got the message "Client and/or agent not authorised". That was it - no further help! - Is that the same issue the current OP is having - impossible to tell unless you are an expert

I think most users would be even more confused.

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Replying to vtsoftware:
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By johnhemming
16th Sep 2019 11:55

vtsoftware wrote:

Got the message "Client and/or agent not authorised". That was it - no further help! - Is that the same issue the current OP is having - impossible to tell unless you are an expert


It is, of course, possible to write software which checks both the hello api and one of the vat apis. Then the software can tell the user that they probably have not joined MTD. Some software does this. Not all software does this.

You may wish to support my lobbying of HMRC to keep this API running as it is as useful way of finding out when people have not joined MTD.

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By vtsoftware
16th Sep 2019 09:58

I'm sorry you are having difficulties.

First of all, the spaces in the VAT number are not important. VT strips out any spaces automatically.

The problem has to arise for one of the reasons listed at http://www.vtsoftware.co.uk/mtd/vrnmismatch.htm (for businesses) or http://www.vtsoftware.co.uk/mtd/vrnmismatchasa.htm (for agents).

I don't see the point in installing and setting up another MTD app. If it is identically set up you will get the same error.

A common and often overlooked error is to grant authority using the wrong government gateway ID, especially as this often auto completes in browsers.

If you are the business, it might help to sign into your business taxes account at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/business-account. There should be an MTD section there if you are signed up.

Philip Hodgson
VT Software

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Replying to vtsoftware:
Oaklea
By Chris.Mann
16th Sep 2019 10:06

"I don't see the point in installing and setting up another MTD app. If it is identically set up you will get the same error."

Thank you , for the advice Philip. I completely agree with your sentiment. I'm quite sure, it's something I've; not done, or dealt with incorrectly. I'm also much obliged for the assistance, currently ongoing, from Katrina in your office.

Indeed, I'm most grateful to the Aweb community, who've tried their very best to assist. What a pillock (I am)?

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Replying to Chris.Mann:
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By johnhemming
16th Sep 2019 15:53

Chris.Mann wrote:

"I don't see the point in installing and setting up another MTD app. If it is identically set up you will get the same error."


That, in fact, is one of the points of setting up another MTD app. In moments you can find whether the fault lies with the HMRC setup or the MTD app you are originally using.

It can save you hours.

Similarly there are some MTD apps that will give you management control over all of your clients submissions - regardless of which app you use to set things up or do the submission.

People take different views about MTD, but it is happening. I personally think it is worth agents finding the best and most time efficient ways of handling it.

If I were not a software bod I would want to know how more than one system works simply not to be subject to the whims of a single provider.

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By nodrogbir
16th Sep 2019 11:50

Squabbling software vendors and that just the beginning. The free solution that HMRC make a focal point are now going to charge...Surprise surprise....

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RedFive
By RedFive
16th Sep 2019 12:56

I think VT+ are being a bit touchy here. As a user of VT software I’m disappointed in their response.

This is a public forum, not their own support site.

Chris asked the community for an answer. East MTD VAT are quite within their rights to respond. I’ve used their software for the same purpose – and it is free to do so, which they point out.

If they hadn’t responded in such a manner months ago when I was one of the first people to have the (now common) obligation error then might still be in the dark.

I was only able to push HMRC that it was their problem and not the software by proving that 2 different pieces of software showed the same error. In my case QBO and Easy MTD VAT. Prior to that I was being fobbed off with ‘user’ error as I have detailed in my many posts on the subject.

John Hemming has done similar in offering loads of free help whether the OP uses his software or not – I’ve never seen VT try and help others in the same way regarding MTD.

Shame on you Philip, and my message to Easy VAT is to not be put off in the future. That’s surely what this forum is for.

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Replying to RedFive:
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By vtsoftware
16th Sep 2019 13:58

I accept your point about this being a public forum. I am somewhat humbled and I apologise for those comments.

I have been helping VT users on this site but I nearly always refrain from commenting on issues with software from other vendors. Perhaps I am a bit old school in that regard.

I do think that in this particular case installing another MTD application would not have been helpful as this type of fault nearly always arises from user error (and not from a software or HMRC fault).

With an obligations error such as yours it clearly helped, but it may have been easier to simply sign into your business taxes account at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/business-account and go to 'Your VAT account>Return deadlines'. This shows the same obligations as your MTD software and it is an easy way to convince HMRC that a return is missing.

Philip Hodgson
VT Software

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Oaklea
By Chris.Mann
17th Sep 2019 08:00

Having taken advice, from Katrina, at VT Software and, carefully read the documents, which both her and Philip had linked to, I'm delighted to say that I have solved the problem.
Yes, it was my fault! No, it wasn't a software issue. It's an error which, hopefully, I'll not repeat again.
My sincere thanks to the community, although I'm sorry that, what I regarded as an innocent enquiry, has brought about a clash between some parties.

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RedFive
By RedFive
17th Sep 2019 08:19

All's well that ends well.

Philip at VT Software restored my faith with his response too and as an almost 10 year paying subscriber to their software with zero issues during that time, that did not surprise me.

We service our 240 clients predominantly with a 'best of breed' software mix that includes TaxCalc, VT Software, QuickBooks Online and Moneysoft. Plenty room and need for all of them.

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