Minns
    VAT returns through MTD

    The nine boxes from the books, filed through Making Tax Digital on your approval.

    The VAT return is computed by the books engine from the client's ledger, to the penny. The agent prepares it with the lines that make up each box, a named person approves it against those figures, and it goes to HMRC through the MTD API with the receipt kept on the client's file.

    Talk to usSee the pricing

    VAT filing runs in HMRC's sandbox until our production credentials are granted. Returns prepared today are the real figures; the submission goes live with the credentials.

    The return as the approver sees it. The nine boxes are the engine's; the approval and the receipt are the two lines a reviewer looks for.

    Why Minns

    Three things to know first.

    The boxes are computed, never typed
    Box 1 to box 9 come from the ledger through the books engine, with the lines behind each. The agent never writes a figure; it explains the ones the engine gives.
    The approval is bound to the figures
    A person approves the return they see. If the books move before filing, the approval does not carry and the return is prepared again.
    HMRC's record is the firm's
    Obligations, liabilities and payments are read from HMRC's agent services. The receipt for every submission is kept, and the row on the board closes.
    What it does

    The VAT quarter, end to end.

    • Reads the obligations

      Open periods, due dates, liabilities and payments for each client from HMRC's MTD API through the firm's agent services account, onto the deadlines board.

    • Keeps the books current

      The ledger pulled from Xero, QuickBooks Online or Sage through the firm's connection, with the bank lines explained and the receipts matched as the quarter goes.

    • Computes the nine boxes

      Output and input VAT, the net, the goods figures for boxes 8 and 9 where they apply, and the totals, by the books engine, with the lines that make each box up.

    • Prepares the pack

      The return with its breakdown and the agent's note on what moved against the last quarter, for the approver.

    • Files on approval

      A named person approves against the exact figures. The submission goes to HMRC with the fraud prevention headers it requires, and the receipt comes back onto the file.

    • Shows the client

      The client sees the return in their portal and approves what is theirs to approve before the firm files, where the firm asks them to.

    The quarter

    In the order it happens.

    1. Period end

      The obligation is on the board

      Read from HMRC. The chasers go out to the clients whose records are not in.

    2. Records in

      The books close the quarter

      Bank lines explained, receipts matched, the questions the agent could not answer put to the client.

    3. Prepared

      The engine computes the return

      The nine boxes and the breakdown. The agent writes the note.

    4. Approved

      A named person approves

      Against the figures on the page. The record keeps the person, the time and the figures.

    5. Filed

      HMRC receives it

      Through the MTD API with the required headers. The receipt is kept, the liability updates, the row closes.

    Questions a practice asks first

    Straight answers.

    Is Minns MTD-compatible software?
    Yes. Returns go to HMRC through the Making Tax Digital VAT API, with the fraud prevention headers HMRC requires and the receipt kept. Submissions run in HMRC's sandbox until our production credentials are granted.
    Where do the figures come from?
    From the client's ledger, pulled through the firm's connection into the books engine, which computes each box. The agent never writes a number.
    Who approves a return?
    A named person at the firm, against the exact figures shown. The firm can also ask the client to approve in their portal first.
    What if the books change after approval?
    The approval no longer holds. The return is prepared again and approved again. A changed figure is never filed on an old approval.
    Which schemes?
    Standard and cash accounting as the books are kept. Ask us about flat rate and the margin schemes for a client who uses them.

    File the next quarter from the books.

    Connect one client's books and we prepare their return on the demo first, then the real one for your approval.

    Talk to usSee the pricing