VAT return and payment
Each VAT return, and the payment with it, is due one calendar month and seven days after the end of the VAT period.
Is this you?
Every VAT-registered business. Most file quarterly; some monthly or annually.
The detail
A quarter ending 31 March is filed and paid by 7 May. Under Making Tax Digital the return goes from compatible software, which is why the bookkeeping has to be finished before the return can be.
A Direct Debit with HMRC is collected three working days after the deadline, which is the one case where a Direct Debit buys you time.
What it costs
Late returns earn a penalty point each; at four points on a quarterly cycle a £200 penalty is charged, and again for every further late return until the points expire. Late payment: 3% of what is unpaid at 15 days, another 3% at 30 days, then 10% a year from day 31, plus interest. Source: gov.uk and Companies House guidance, checked September 2026.
Now
Enter your VAT period end below for the date, or let Buzz run the bookkeeping to a rhythm that has the return ready before the deadline.
In the same area
- Depends on your datesRegister for VATVATDetails
