Calculate and submit your VAT Return

Calculate and reconcile your VAT Return

1. If this is your first VAT period under MTD, check your VAT settings.
2. On the navigation pane select VAT, then VAT Return.
3. To back up your data, press Back up and follow the on-screen prompts.
4. Under the Date range, choose your VAT Return period then choose Calculate VAT Return.
   
   If there are any transactions before the date range not on a VAT return already, the Earlier unreconciled transactions window appears. To include these transactions, press Include. If you don't want to include them, choose Ignore.
   
   
5. Check your VAT figures and post any required adjustments.
6. Print your VAT Return reports.
7. Press Reconcile VAT Return then press Yes.

Post the VAT transfer journal

1. Complete the VAT transfer area as follows:
   

   Date	Enter the date for the VAT Transfer.
   Sales Tax Amount	This is the amount from Box 1 on the VAT Return. You can amend this if required.
   Purchase Tax Amount	This is the amount from Box 4 minus the amount from Box 2 on the VAT Return. You can amend this if required.

2. Press Post Journal.

Submit your VAT Return to HMRC

1. Be in the Complete VAT Return window. If you've closed this window previously after reconciling the VAT return, to get back to this window double-click on the VAT Return.
2. Press Submit online. 

3. Press Next.
   
   

   

4. Check your company name and VAT Registration Number are correct, then select Next.
   
   

   

5. In the Gov.uk window, scroll to the bottom and press Continue.
   
   
   

   

6. Enter your Government Gateway ID and password. Press Sign-in.
   
   

   

7. Select Continue then select a method to receive your access code.
8. Choose Continue and follow the on-screen prompts.
9. In Access Code, enter the code you received, then press Continue.
10. Select Continue then press Grant Authority.
    

    

11. Under Submit your period, in the dropdown choose the obligation period you want to submit for.
    
    

    

    
    
    
    TIP:

    More than one obligation period can show here, take care to choose the correct one. No obligation period showing?

     
12. Select the confirmation checkbox then press Submit to HMRC.
    
    

    

13. When the successful submission window appears, press Close.
    
    Getting a submission error? 
    
    

    

14. If required, to view a submission confirmation report, select Submission confirmation.
15. If required, record your VAT bank payment however you have a payment set up with HMRC, then press Close.
    
    
    NOTE:

    Sage doesn't automatically pay to or reclaim from HMRC. If you don't have a Direct Debit set up with HMRC, you'll need to pay them via the HMRC website.

     

Seeing a submission error?

We have a list of the most common submission errors and how to resolve them.

You can also search for the error message in our Help Centre to find out how to resolve it.