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VAT returns don't appear in the Making Tax Digital (MTD) module

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Summary

How to view VAT Returns in the MTD module when data is on Remote Data Access (RDA) in Sage 50 Accounts..

Description

VAT returns created when data is on Remote Data Access don't appear for submission in the MTD Module

Formatting errors in the folder names used to store the VAT returns can cause this issue. This causes the folder name to appear in lower case, when parts should appear in upper case.

  • Example correct folder - C:\program data\sage\accounts\2025\company.000\VATRTNS\_Data\2024-VAT Return 01092024 - 30092024
  • Example incorrect folder - C:\program data\sage\accounts\2025\company.000\VATRTNS\_Data\2024-vat return 01092024 - 30092024

Resolution

As a workaround you can either

  • Run the MTD module at the site the VAT return was created on
  • Amend the letters in the folders which contain the information for the relevant VAT Returns
  1. Take a backup of your data.
  2. Go to Help then About and select the path next to Data Directory.
  3. Browse to the folder before ACCDATA in the Data Directory.
    • For example, if the data path is C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2025\COMPANY.001\Accdata browse to the C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2025\COMPANY.001 folder
  4. Double-click VATRTNS then double-click _DATA.
  5. Right-click the folder which corresponds to the VAT return to view, then select Rename.
  6. Capitalise the letters 'VAT' and 'R' of the word Return, for example 2024-VAT Return 01092024 - 30092024.
  7. Browse back to the VATRTNS folder and double-click the folder with the year that corresponds to this return.
  8. Right-click on the relevant .xml file for the return which is incorrect.
  9. Capitalise the file name as in step 6.

You can now view the return in the MTD module.

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