If you get this error

If this message appears, you must activate MTD within Sage 50 Accounts, then retry the submission.

This error can also occur if you are using the MTD module but try to submit through the old Government Gateway using the Sage 50 Accounts VAT Return.

Submitted under Government Gateway in error

Until recently HMRC did not return an error in this scenario. If you signed up for MTD but submitted your VAT Return without activating MTD in your software and you didn't receive the above error, your VAT Return would not be recorded by HMRC as a valid VAT Return submission.

If you are using the MTD module, rather than Sage 50 Accounts, make sure you submit your VAT Return using the module and not through the Sage 50 Accounts VAT Return.

Contact HMRC

If you've submitted your VAT Return under the old Government Gateway in error, you must contact HMRC to find out what to do next.

If HMRC advise	Action to take
They will send you an encrypted document to complete and return to them.	Complete the encrypted document and return to HMRC. Before you submit your next VAT Return, follow the steps in the Activate MTD in your software section.
You must submit your VAT Return again under the new MTD service.	Follow all of the steps below.

Activate MTD in your software

1. On the menu bar click Settings, then click Company Preferences.
2. If prompted, enter your Sage 50 Accounts password.
3. Click VAT then select the Enable Making Tax Digital for VAT submissions check box.
   
   I can't see the check box >
4. Click OK.

Print your VAT Return

1. On the navigation bar click VAT.
2. Click the VAT Return you want to resubmit, then click VAT Return.
3. Click Print then under VAT Return Type ensure VAT return is selected.
4. Under Output select Printer, click Run then click OK.

Resubmit your VAT Return

1. Back up your current data, using a name you can remember, for example, Before_VAT_resubmit.001
2. On the navigation bar click VAT, then click VAT Return.
3. Enter the period you want to resubmit and click Include reconciled transactions.
4. Click Calculate VAT Return then click Yes and click OK.
5. If required, Make adjustments so the VAT Return figures match those on your printed VAT Return.
6. Click Reconcile VAT Return then click Yes.
7. Click Submit online then follow the on-screen prompts.
8. Back up your data again, using a different name, for example, Post_VAT_resubmit.001
   
   You must keep this backup safe in case you need it, for example, for the correlation ID.
9. Restore the backup you took in step 1.