VAT Returns
MTD-compliant VAT returns, prepared, reviewed and filed — with the schemes that actually save you money.
Who this is for
VAT-registered businesses turning over £85k–£10m. Especially valuable for businesses with imports, mixed VAT rates, partial exemption, or property interests.
VAT is one of the easiest taxes to overpay if no one's paying attention.
VAT looks simple — 20% in, 20% out, file quarterly. In practice, it has more edge cases than any other UK tax. Reverse charge, partial exemption, mixed-use vehicles, post-Brexit imports, the construction CIS reverse charge, the option-to-tax on property — any of these can quietly cost or save serious money.
We prepare quarterly returns under Making Tax Digital, but the work that actually saves money is the scheme review at the start: are you on the right scheme, are you reclaiming everything you can, and is your VAT cashflow timed properly?
What's included.
Everything below is part of the standard engagement. We'll tell you up front if your situation needs anything outside this — there are no surprises.
Quarterly VAT return preparation and MTD-compliant filing
VAT scheme review — flat rate, cash accounting, annual accounting, or standard
VAT registration and de-registration support
Partial exemption and capital goods scheme calculations where relevant
Reverse charge handling (construction, EU services, imports)
HMRC enquiry support if a return is queried
A predictable, four-step engagement.
Scheme review
We review whether you're on the right VAT scheme — many businesses are not.
Quarterly preparation
Books closed, return drafted, queries resolved before submission.
Filing under MTD
Filed digitally with HMRC, payment dates confirmed in writing.
Year-on-year reconciliation
Annual VAT reconciliation against accounts to catch anything that drifted.
Frequently asked questions
What's the VAT registration threshold?
From April 2024 the compulsory VAT registration threshold is £90,000 of taxable turnover in any rolling 12-month period. Voluntary registration below that can sometimes be useful — we will tell you when it is and isn't.
Is the flat rate scheme worth using?
Sometimes. The flat rate scheme is simple but you cannot reclaim input VAT (with very limited exceptions). For service businesses with low input costs and turnover under £150k, it can save money. For most businesses with normal input VAT, the standard scheme is better. We model both before recommending.
What about Making Tax Digital?
All VAT-registered businesses must file under MTD with digital records. We handle the digital link from your accounting software directly to HMRC.
Related: explore the full services suite —All services
Talk to us about vat returns.
Quick conversation, no commitment. We'll tell you honestly whether this is the right service for where you are.