Making Tax Digital (MTD) – Phase 2
Phase 2 of the UK government's Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative for VAT started on 1 April 2021.
The new requirements include digital record-keeping and the tracking of digital journeys, with penalties for infringement and late filings.
MTD Phase 2 follows the April 2019 (Phase 1) requirements, where all UK VAT registered businesses over the registration threshold, were required to file returns via a new API interface with HMRC.
Avalara's MTD Cloud and VAT Reporting software solutions are MTD recognised by HMRC.
MTD for VAT: Penalty regime started 1 April 2021
On 1 April 2021, the second phase of UK Making Tax Digital (‘MTD’) for VAT programme was implemented. HMRC has offered an option to apply for a further extension to this deadline if it can be shown there is no reasonable fix to legacy IT issues and the operation of an uninterrupted ‘digital journey’. Businesses applying for the extension must include a comprehensive plan to resolve any break in the digital journey.
Avalara can help you understand if you are eligible, and how to apply to HMRC.
April 2021 VAT MTD digital journey and penalties
VAT was the first tax to launch on MTD. Other taxes, including income and corporation tax will be added.
Making Tax Digital is about bringing the tax system into the digital age, saving businesses time, and in the long run – money.
VAT MTD requirements
The requirements will only apply to businesses over the UK VAT registration threshold (currently £85,000).
This creates the following requirements:
- Storing data digitally on functional compatible software package
- Calculation of VAT liabilities by the automated software
- File the 9-box UK VAT return data via the HMRC’s JSON API platform, under the ‘API First Strategy’. This replaces keying-in or the existing XML API
- New authentication process
- Receive digital information in return from HMRC
- A controlled process around adjustments and error corrections
What information must be kept digitally?
The following data must be stored digitally:
- The business name
- The address of the principle place of business
- VAT registration numbers
- A record of any VAT accounting schemes that are used
- For each taxable supply:
- The time of supply
- The value of the supply
- The rate of VAT charged
- For each VAT return submitted:
- The output/input tax
- The output/input tax on acquisitions from other EU member states
- The tax required to be paid/reclaimed under the reverse charge for supplies
- Any tax to be paid following a correction or error adjustment
Other resources
This guide covers the essential steps ecommerce sellers need to take now that the UK has left the EU Customs Union and VAT regime to keep their cross-border sales going, avoid extra tax costs and frustrated customers.
Read the report to learn about key industry trends, emerging issues, and challenges faced by cross-border sellers and shippers.
Manage international tax with cross-border solutions for VAT, HS code classification, trade restrictions, and more.
