How do I send my VAT return online?

I am also unable to file VAT directly through QB 2010.  I have tried twice now (Dec and Jan) and QB says that the registration details are wrong - but I am able to log in directly onto HMRC with the same details.

Hi Diana,

I have filed my first VAT return online using quickbooks 2010 with no problems at the end of Feb 2011.

I am now wanting to file my next VAT return and it gives the following error:

Athentication Failure. The supplied user credentials failed validation for the requested service.

As it has worked before it is even more frustrating that it now won't work.

I can access the HMRC web site so I know my login details are correct.

Any help greatly appreciated as technical support over the phone have not been able to resolve the issue.

Many thanks,

Rob

Last week we used the direct submission through QB for the first time and all appeared to go well, as we received an email almost immediately from the Government Gateway to say that the return had been successfully received.

However, we have not received the usual email to say that the submission has been processed.

On the HMRC VAT website it lists the last 3 returns submitted including the one submitted via QB. However, when you try to view the latest return an error page occurs. You can see the previous returns. Also, the right hand column for 'Acknowledgment Sent' says Not Applicable.

I have spoken to the VAT Helpdesk who confirmed that the return had been received but could offer no explanation as to why I could not see the return (when I could see the previous returns).

Their only suggestion was to contact our software vendor in case it's a known bug. 

Dear Woburnchina 

We are confident that you have filed your VAT return correctly via QuickBooks.  Rest assured that, unless you receive a rejection message, your return was filed successfully.   QuickBooks stores the electronic receipts of submissions sent to HMRC.   You can view these, by going to the VAT menu and selecting Prior VAT Returns.

HMRCs Online Filing service works in a similar manner to that of 3rd party software.   When you used this facility to send your previous VAT returns, you were first entering the details of your return into the portal.  These details are then stored in your database on the HMRC portal/online filing service, and are thus available to view.  HMRC then submits your data to the government gateway in the same manner as QuickBooks does.   HMRC are currently investigating why the portal is not displaying the details of returns submitted via 3rd party software.

HMRC have reported instances whereby people are seeing a blank page when trying to view the PDF version of their VAT return acknowledgements.   It appears that in the majority of cases that this is caused by incorrect settings within Microsoft Internet Explorer. (Unfortunately no details were given of what these might be).  Details of any VAT service issues can be found on HMRCs website

Regards,

Diana

Like the previous poster, I get an error when I try to view the return on the HMRC web site. However, unlike the previous poster, when I go to the previous VAT returns page in QB, I cannot see an entry for the previous return. I am using QB2010 Premier.

Having spoken to the HMRC help desk, the latter issue MUST be resolved while the former issue should be available on the HMRC web site, which is a fault with the specification of the facility.

Hi Mollcons,

I was hoping you could tell me a bit more about the "Previous VAT Returns" page in QuickBooks.

When you open this window, do you see your last return in the list of available returns, but it doesn't open? Or does it not appear in the list at all?

Also, if you run the File VAT window for the period in question, do you still see balances for this period?

It sounds to me as if the filing was not completed in QuickBooks for whatever reason. If this is the case you won't see a return available in Prior VAT Returns, and you will still see a balance for this filing period in any reports and in the File VAT window.

With respect to the returns not being visible on HMRC's website, we are currently investigating this issue.

Just been through the same game for my first e-file attempt.  Two things come out of it:

1. HMRC say that it's correct that there aren't any visible details for the return on their site, and that's because "it's been done by software"  So we have to assume that because they say they have the return, everything on it must match what QB sent, but there's no way of finding out.

2. Intuit's approach of "if it doesn't tell you it's wrong then it's right" is bad at the software design level.  When dealing with a generous and forgiving agency(!) such as HMRC, proof is vital - so I would appreciate something in the process that actually proves receipt, and ideally a message to the user during submission to say that it arrived, and confirming the amount to pay/pay date as normally advised by HMRC.

Overall the process is a great idea, but it could do with a bit of refinement.

 When I did it I got an email acknowledgement from HMRC that the return was succesfully received.

I used the e filing vat system for the first time this month - I received one email saying successful submission and then another saying unsuccessful from HMRC.  I cant view the return on hmrc either - and it wont let me file it again as says already filed for that period!

When I used quickbooks to view the vat return a get a page of coding after i close the 1st page of the vat return down.

There is 100% a bug !!  Help me please as I will be very annoyed if I get charged penalties from HMRC if they say my return is late

Ref: SharonK36's reply...

Unfortunately the HMRC response comes in bloated coding called "XML" - ideally Intuit would add a feature to display the encoded gobbledegook in plain english [Intuit please note!].

However, if you check out your "HMRC Electronic Receipt" that appears in QB under the "VAT.. Previous VAT Returns..." menu item, don't be scared and scroll down then you should see the following if it worked:

A few lines from the top:

<Body>
<SuccessResponse xmlns="http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/SuccessResponse&quot&g...;
 

About half way down:

 <Message code="0000">HMRC has received the HMRC-VAT-DEC document ref: [Your VAT number] at 10.51 on 05/01/2011. The associated IRmark was: [Some Long Code of letters/digits]. We strongly recommend that you keep this receipt electronically, and we advise that you also keep your submission electronically for your records. They are evidence of the information that you submitted to HMRC.</Message>

And then, near the bottom, the bit we care about and would like displayed:

<PaymentDueDate>2011-02-07</PaymentDueDate>
 

So if you get that lot, chances are it worked, despite HMRC's emails.  If not, you can try the HMRC "help" desk, but I found them very unhelpful!

Good luck!

Yes, great news whilst ignoring the fact that lots of people on here can not get the VAT online feature to work. Very buggy software and very dissapointing - this is one of the features I bought the software for yet it fails to work every time.

Hello scstock,

That's great news. We love to hear from our customers...especially when they "love" a feature. Have a great Christmas! :-)

-tracey