HMRC has warned VAT registered businesses to file returns and pay on time, or risk falling foul of new penalties said to be fairer and more proportionate, which will apply to filings from March 7th.
The penalties for late VAT returns also apply to businesses that submit nil returns and repayment returns. Changes have also been made to how interest is calculated.
Paul Riley, Director of Tax Administration at HMRC, said: “Our aim is to help customers get things right before monetary penalties are applied; a points-based system for late VAT returns will not punish the occasional error.
“We are contacting 2.5 million VAT registered businesses about the changes and will continue to support customers to help them manage their tax affairs and payments.
The changes to VAT penalties and interest payments are:
- late submission penalties – These work on a points-based system. For each VAT return submitted late, customers will receive a penalty point until they reach the penalty point threshold – at which stage they will receive a £200 penalty. A further £200 penalty will also apply for each subsequent late submission while at the threshold, which varies to take account of monthly, quarterly and annual accounting periods.
- late payment penalties – If a VAT payment is more than 15 days overdue, businesses will pay a first late payment penalty. If the VAT payment is more than 30 days overdue, the first late payment penalty increases and a second late payment penalty will also apply. To help customers get used to the changes HMRC will not charge a first late payment penalty on VATpayments due on or before 31 December 2023, if businesses either pay in full or a payment plan is agreed within 30 days of the payment due date.
- payment plans – HMRC will help businesses that cannot pay their VAT bill in full. Customers may be able to set up a payment plan to pay their bill in instalments. After 31 December 2023, if a customer proposes a payment plan within 15 days of payment being due and HMRC agrees it, they would not be charged a late payment penalty, provided that they keep to the conditions of the payment plan. Late payment penalties can apply where proposals are made after the first 15 days, but the agreement of the payment plan can prevent them increasing.
- interest calculations – HMRC has introduced both late payment and repayment interest, which will replace previous VAT interest rules. This brings the new regime in line with other taxes.
HMRC is also reminding businesses to be mindful of scams as they adjust to the changes. urging that HMRC login details should never be shared. Mr Riley added: “Someone using them could steal from the business or make a fraudulent claim in their name. Individuals should never give out personal information if they are unsure of who is contacting them.”
