UK VAT Return
UK VAT is administered by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). generate.TAX is approved for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT – so you can prepare the UK VAT Return from your accounting data and submit it digitally to HMRC through a compliant digital link, without re-keying figures. The platform also supports the VAT Number Checker and VAT Foreign Branch filings for registrations in other supported countries.
generate.TAX supports the UK obligations that matter most in practice: the UK VAT Return with direct HMRC / MTD submission, the VAT Number Checker, and VAT Foreign Branch returns for other supported territories – with a controlled preparer-reviewer-approver workflow before figures go to HMRC.
Best for: UK VAT-registered businesses, accounting firms, in-house finance teams and self-employed users who need MTD-compliant VAT filing with a clearer, more controlled process.
Supported UK obligations
UK VAT Return
The main UK VAT return (nine-box return), prepared from your accounting data and submitted digitally to HMRC under Making Tax Digital (MTD). UK rates include the standard rate of 20%, reduced 5% and zero-rated supplies where applicable.
HMRC & Making Tax Digital
generate.TAX is HMRC-approved for MTD for VAT. Keep a compliant digital link from source data to submission – and file returns directly to HMRC without manual re-keying.
VAT Number Checker
Validate UK and EU customer/supplier VAT numbers and keep a certified activity trail for UK B2B compliance.
VAT Foreign Branch
If your UK business also has a VAT registration abroad – a VAT Foreign Branch – generate.TAX can prepare returns for other supported countries, including the EU, in one controlled workflow.
UK VAT Return
Create and review the recurring UK VAT Return with a workflow built for accuracy, control and audit readiness – then submit digitally to HMRC under MTD.
- UK VAT Return preparation for individuals, companies and VAT groups
- Support for UK rates including the 20% standard rate, reduced 5% and zero-rated supplies where applicable
- Structured review before HMRC submission, with clear return history, auditability and reconciliation support
HMRC & Making Tax Digital
Submit UK VAT returns directly to HMRC with a compliant Making Tax Digital workflow – including the digital links HMRC expects between your source data and the filed return.
- HMRC-approved software for MTD for VAT – submit returns digitally to HMRC
- Maintain a compliant digital link from accounting data to the VAT return (no manual re-keying of figures)
- Clear audit trail from source data to HMRC submission
VAT Number Checker
Validate UK and EU VAT numbers for UK B2B supplies with a certified activity trail – the same VAT Number Checker available across supported territories.
- Check customer and supplier VAT numbers against VIES and UK validation services
- Keep a certified activity trail for UK B2B compliance and internal review
- Use the same checker workflow available for other EU countries and the UK
VAT Foreign Branch
Prepare VAT returns for your VAT Foreign Branch registrations in supported countries – including the EU – alongside your UK VAT Return and HMRC filing.
- Run the UK VAT Return and foreign-branch returns from the same generate.TAX workspace
- Coverage across supported territories in the EU and beyond (see the Countries page for the full list)
- Same preparer-reviewer-approver controls and audit trail you use for UK MTD filing
How generate.TAX helps in the UK
Designed for UK VAT compliance, generate.TAX supports the recurring requirements that matter most – from the UK VAT Return to monthly HMRC MTDs / VIES and related validation processes. The platform reinforces governance through a secure digital audit trail and a defined preparer-reviewer-approver workflow, helping teams stay accurate, traceable and ready for review before filing in HMRC.
For accountants
Standardise repeatable VAT workflows across multiple UK clients, keep a clear audit trail, and move returns through preparer-reviewer-approver steps with less chasing and less spreadsheet work.
For finance teams
Reduce risk around recurring submissions, improve review controls, and keep supporting data, adjustments and return history in a format that is easier to validate and explain internally.
For self-employed users
Keep filings simple with one place to review transactions, generate the correct UK VAT outputs and stay organised without building your own manual process every quarter.
Key functionality for the UK
generate.TAX helps you prepare VAT filings from your accounting data with the controls teams need day to day – exceptions, multi-entity work, currencies, and a clear path from draft to approved submission.
Exceptions & out-of-period
Out-of-period transactions are flagged automatically. Include them in the current submission, adjust a prior period, or defer to the next – resolved in a few clicks.
Multiple entities & groups
Connect multiple entities and prepare returns for individual companies or VAT groups, with member entities mapped and kept aligned before consolidation.
Multi-currency
Work with multi-currency ledgers and convert values using European Central Bank forex rates where required for your return.
Multiple countries
Use one platform across supported territories – useful if you manage the UK alongside EU or other VAT registrations, including VAT Foreign Branch setups.
Accruals & cash basis
Generate returns for accrual or cash-based accounting according to the rules that apply to the country and entity.
Collaborative review workflow
Move work through preparer, reviewer and approver steps with a clear digital audit trail before figures go to the tax authority.
Recognised
HMRC integration – Making Tax Digital
generate.TAX is approved by HM Revenue & Customs for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT. That means returns prepared in generate.TAX can be submitted directly to HMRC through a compliant software connection – keeping the digital link HMRC requires from your source records through to the filed return.
No copy-paste of box totals into a separate portal. Prepare, review and approve in generate.TAX, then submit digitally to HMRC.
- HMRC-approved MTD for VAT software connection
- Compliant digital links from accounting data to the VAT return
- Direct digital submission to HMRC after preparer-reviewer-approver sign-off
- Works for individuals, companies and VAT groups
Other countries supported
generate.TAX supports a growing list of countries beyond the UK, including multiple VAT returns, statements and related compliance obligations across different territories. Explore the full Countries page to see current coverage and the obligations available in each jurisdiction.
Solutions for Capture & VAT
Document Capture
A document capture solution - converting images and PDFs into data ready for posting.
VAT Return Generator
Easily create your VAT return with data from your cloud accounting system.
Recapitulative Statement
Create a validated list of intra-community suppliers to be submitted to authorities.
VAT Number Checker
Validate and keep a validated list of customer VAT numbers when generating an Invoice in the accounting software.
FAQs
Who should file the UK VAT Return through this page?
This page is for VAT-registered businesses in the United Kingdom that need to prepare and submit the UK VAT Return under Making Tax Digital, plus teams that also manage a VAT Foreign Branch or need the VAT Number Checker.
What is Making Tax Digital (MTD)?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT requires VAT-registered businesses to keep digital records and submit returns to HMRC using compatible software. generate.TAX is HMRC-approved for MTD, so you can prepare and submit returns digitally with a compliant digital link.
What are digital links?
Under MTD, once VAT data is in software, transfers between systems should use digital links – not manual re-keying or copy-paste of figures. generate.TAX supports a digital journey from your accounting data through review to HMRC submission.
Does generate.TAX include VAT Number Checker for the UK?
Yes. generate.TAX includes the VAT Number Checker so UK businesses can validate UK and EU customer or supplier VAT numbers and keep a certified activity trail.
Can I manage a VAT Foreign Branch from the UK?
Yes. If your UK business has a VAT Foreign Branch registration in another supported country (for example in the EU), generate.TAX can help you prepare those foreign returns in the same platform as your UK VAT Return.
How does generate.TAX help accountants and finance teams in the UK?
generate.TAX helps firms and in-house teams standardise the UK VAT workflow with clearer return preparation, MTD-compliant HMRC submission, reviewer controls, audit trails, VAT number validation and foreign-branch support where needed.
Try it for free
Unlock all generate.TAX features for 30 days to help you with the generation of VAT returns and capture of bills & receipts.
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