Sage for VAT Returns: Beware changes to Government Gateway
8th February 2018
Businesses that use Sage accounting software to complete and e-submit their VAT returns should be aware of a change to the Government Gateway on 14 February 2018. If you run an older version of this software (version 23 or below), it will no longer be compatible and hence VAT returns will not automatically e-submit to HMRC. To overcome this problem, you will either have to upgrade your software or manually re-enter the 9 VAT return box totals into the HMRC website. This latter option will only be available for a short time, as it is also planned to be decommissioned soon (under Making Tax Digital).
These changes to the Government Gateway will also affect older Sage products used for e-submitting Payroll RTI returns, EC Sales Lists, CIS Returns and Sub-contractor Validations.
So the days of paying for Sage once, and missing out on unwanted annual upgrades and the associated further costs, are numbered. As well as upgrading, now may be the time to consider running your accounts package in the cloud?
Disclaimer - All information in this post was correct at time of writing.
