When to sign up

Once you sign up for MTD, from that point onwards you must submit your VAT Returns under the new MTD system and can no longer use the Government Gateway. Before you sign up for MTD, check the following:

• You are using MDT ready software. 
• The last VAT Return you want to submit under the Government Gateway has been reconciled and submitted.
• Your data is up to date, accurate and complete.
• Signing up for MTD must be done at least 5 working days after your last non-MTD VAT Return submission and at least 7 working days before the first MTD VAT Return submission.

Sign up for MTD

NOTE: If you're a VAT agent and you want to sign up for MTD on behalf of a client, you must do this via your agent services account.

1. Visit the HMRC website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sign-your-business-up-for-making-tax-digital-for-vat
2. Under the Sign up your own business section, click the Sign up your own business link.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts, enter your existing Government Gateway credentials then click Sign in.
   Problems signing in? Visit Gov.uk
   
   If your business is not yet eligible to sign up for MTD, a message appears to advise this.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts, providing any requested information. If you are prompted to authorise your third party software, choose Sage Business Cloud.
5. When you receive a verification email, click the link in the email to verify your email address.
6. Read and accept the terms of participation.

HMRC will confirm by email if you can start submitting VAT Returns under MTD. This is usually within 24 hours but it can take up to 72 hours to arrive. When you start submitting under MTD, you can continue to use your existing Government Gateway credentials.

Find out more about MTD

• Sage Making Tax Digital Help Centre
• Gov.uk - Making Tax Digital for VAT
• Making Tax Digital training