Solution Properties
Solution ID:
222001000101364
Last Modified Date:
Thu Jan 22 10:52:25 UTC 2026
Taxonomy Path:
Case category//How do I...//governmental/legislative compliance
Author:
[email protected]
Resubmit a manual VAT Return using Making Tax Digital
Description

If you signed up for MTD but submitted a VAT Return manually, HMRC won’t receive that return. Submit the same figures again using MTD.

When you do this, Sage Accounting will post VAT transactions again. Reverse these duplicated postings to avoid incorrect VAT balances.

Cause
Resolution

Before you start, make sure you:

  • Authorise Sage Accounting to submit VAT Returns to HMRC using MTD
  • Make a note of the figures in boxes one to nine from your manually submitted VAT Return

Create a new VAT Return

You can’t resubmit a VAT Return that you already submitted manually. Instead, create a new one.

  1. Go to Reporting, then select VAT Return.
  2. Select Create VAT Return.
  3. Check the VAT period from and to dates. These come directly from HMRC.
  4. Select Calculate.

 NOTE: If the dates are wrong, check that you’re connected to MTD. If the issue continues, contact HMRC. 

Adjust the VAT Return to match your manual submission

The VAT Return will show a nil balance because Sage Accounting already included the transactions in the manual return.

Adjust each VAT box so the figures match your manual submission.

  1. Select Adjust on line one of the VAT Return.
  2. Under Change VAT figure by, enter the figure from box one from your manual VAT Return.
  3. Enter a reason for the adjustment, then select Save.
  4. Repeat these steps for each VAT box until all figures match the manual return.

Submit the VAT Return and record payment or refund

Once the figures match, submit the return to HMRC.

  1. Select Submit online to HMRC.
  2. Select Save.
  3. When prompted, select Finalise, then Submit.
  4. Select Pay/Reclaim, enter the details, then select Save.

Reverse the duplicated VAT ledger postings

Submitting the VAT Return using MTD creates duplicate VAT postings in your ledger.
Post a journal to reverse these duplicates.

  1. Go to Adjustments, then Journals.
  2. Select New Journal.
  3. Enter the ledger category from the Audit Trail in the Reference field.
  4. On the first line, select the VAT ledger account and enter the debit amount.
    • For example, if the MTD return reclaims £50, debit the VAT Liability account by £50
  5. On the second line, select the offset account and enter the same amount as a credit.
    • For example, select the bank account used for the VAT payment
  6. Repeat these steps for any VAT payments included in the return, then select Save.

This reverses the duplicate VAT postings and restores the correct ledger balance.

Steps to duplicate
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