Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT - Submission errors

Here's a list of common errors and their solutions. First check VAT online: service availability and issues to ensure the MTD service is currently available.

An error has occurred when communicating with the submission service

This can occur for several reasons when you log in to the HMRC website as part of your MTD submission. To resolve this, you need to check certain areas.

Full details in our MTD errors - An error has occurred when communicating with the submission service article.

Blank screen when submitting on the HMRC portal 

A blank login page appears when attempting to submit a VAT Return for MTD. This issue is resolved in the latest version of Sage Accounts. Download and install the latest version of Sage 50 Accounts.

Error 400

If you receive error 400, you can try again later.

Error 403 - The client and/or agent is not authorised

This can occur for several reasons when you log in to the HMRC website as part of your MTD submission. To resolve this, you need to check certain areas.

Full details in our MTD errors - An error has occurred when communicating with the submission service article.

Internal server errors 

Usually HMRC receives your submission.

You can also get these messages for the following reasons:

• Incorrect VAT Registration Number
• You're not registered for MTD with HMRC

There are some things that you can check on HMRC's website to resolve this. You can follow our Error: 'Internal server Error' on MTD VAT submission article to do this.

Obligation period is missing

When submitting your VAT Return under MTD, the obligation period drop-down is blank or doesn't show the correct period.

• Check your computer's regional settings
• Check your VAT Registration Number is correct in Sage 50 Accounts on all computers
• Check that all computers are on the latest version of Sage 50 Accounts

Use our Making Tax Digital for VAT - Correct obligation period is missing when submitting VAT Return article to resolve this.

The organisations/VAT API is currently unavailable

This can occur if HMRC have MTD service issues or the service is unavailable. If you receive this message, we recommend you try submitting again later. You can check the current service status on the GOV.UK website.

The remote endpoint has indicated no data can be found

This can occur if you:

Attempt to submit your VAT Return for a VAT period that hasn't ended.

• Try to submit for a period HMRC isn't expecting a submission for
• To resolve this, in the Submit your period drop-down, click the correct VAT period

HMRC can open the VAT period if you choose the correct period and the message appears.

TAX_PERIOD_NOT_ENDED

This occurs if you attempt to submit your VAT Return for a VAT period that hasn't ended. To resolve this, follow the steps in our 'Error code: TAX_PERIOD_NOT_ENDED' article.

The VRN specified [VRN] was not found

This occurs if you don't activate MTD within Sage 50 Accounts before you submit your first MTD VAT Return. This error occurs if you submit your VAT return through the old Government Gateway.

Follow the steps in our Making Tax Digital - 'VRN specified was not found' or submitted VAT Return without first activating MTD in software article.

Unable to send request. Cannot open Internet connection. Unknown 12007

This occurs if you've signed up for MTD for VAT but try to submit your VAT Return through non MTD-compliant software.

To resolve this, follow the steps in our Error: 'Unable to send request. Cannot open Internet connection. Unknown 12007' on MTD VAT submissions article.

User has already submitted a VAT Return for the given period

This message appears if you try to submit a VAT Return more than once for the same obligation period. 

If you adjust your VAT Return after submitting, submit the adjustment in the next obligation period if it's no more than £10,000.

If your adjustment is more than £10,000, contact HMRC.

Your VAT Registration Number is invalid. Please check this in Settings > Company Preferences > VAT tab

There's an issue with your VAT number in the software.

To resolve this, follow the steps in our Error: 'Your VAT Registration Number is invalid. Please check this in Settings, Company Preferences, VAT tab' on MTD VAT submission article.

NOTE: Find further submission errors on our Manage your VAT Help Centre.