Online VAT return withdrawn for 800 businesses

HMRC is withdrawing the online VAT return facility for 800 businesses that should be complying with making tax digital for VAT in an effort to force them to sign up.

An HMRC spokesperson said: ‘In July we wrote to approximately 800 VAT registered businesses above the VAT threshold who have not yet complied to remind them that they need to sign up to MTD and that for them the existing online VAT return facility would be closed on 7 October 2021 – the date their August VAT return will be due.

‘We have continued to provide clear instructions advising these businesses that in order to continue submitting their VAT returns they should sign up to MTD ensure they are keeping digital records and submitting their VAT returns via MTD compatible software.’

Businesses above the VAT threshold (£85 000 a year) have been legally...