# VAT return from a spreadsheet - DIY Accounting Submit Source: https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/vat-return-from-a-spreadsheet.html Submit sends the nine boxes of your VAT return to HMRC. You keep your records in your own spreadsheet, work out the boxes there, and enter the figures here. HMRC sends back a receipt with a Form Bundle Number. - [File a VAT return](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/hmrc/vat/submitVat.html) ## What you need before you start - Your VAT registration number. - The figures for the nine boxes of the period, worked out in your spreadsheet. - A Government Gateway user ID and password, to give Submit permission to send your returns to HMRC. - A Google or Microsoft account to sign in to Submit. ## The steps - Ask HMRC Screenshot: Ask HMRC Type the VAT registration number. Then the stretch of time to look at. - The periods on file Screenshot: The periods on file HMRC answers with every period it holds. An open period is still waiting for a return. - Start the return Screenshot: Start the return Start a return for that open period. - Box 1, VAT on sales Screenshot: Box 1, VAT on sales Box 1 is the VAT due on your sales. - Box 2, usually zero Screenshot: Box 2, usually zero Box 2 is VAT on EU acquisitions, usually zero now. - Box 3 adds it up Screenshot: Box 3 adds it up Box 3 adds boxes 1 and 2 for you. - Box 4, VAT reclaimed Screenshot: Box 4, VAT reclaimed Box 4 is VAT you can reclaim on purchases. - Box 5, the net total Screenshot: Box 5, the net total Box 5 works out what you owe overall. - Box 6, total sales Screenshot: Box 6, total sales Box 6 is your total sales, without VAT. - Box 7, total purchases Screenshot: Box 7, total purchases Box 7 is your total purchases, without VAT. - Boxes 8 and 9, EU trade Screenshot: Boxes 8 and 9, EU trade Boxes 8 and 9 cover EU trade, usually zero now. - Confirm the declaration Screenshot: Confirm the declaration Tick the declaration to confirm the return is accurate. - Authorise again Screenshot: Authorise again Submitting needs a wider grant, so HMRC asks once more. Sign in to HMRC and say yes again. - Submitted Screenshot: Submitted HMRC confirms the return is filed. The receipt is your record that it went through. - Read back what you filed Screenshot: Read back what you filed Back to the activities, to read the return you filed. - Open View VAT Return Screenshot: Open View VAT Return Open the return you have just sent. - Choose the period Screenshot: Choose the period Then the period you filed. - Ask HMRC for the record Screenshot: Ask HMRC for the record Ask HMRC for the return on file. - HMRC sends the record Screenshot: HMRC sends the record HMRC sends back the return as it holds it. - Your record, as submitted Screenshot: Your record, as submitted This is your record: the totals and the declaration, as submitted. Watch the video: [How to submit a VAT return under MTD](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/videos-hmrc-vat.html#submit-return). ## Price The Resident VAT bundle covers this filing and costs **£9.99 a year or £0.99 a month**. The day pass is free and gives you 3 submissions to try it first. ## When it is due Every VAT-registered business sends its returns to HMRC through Making Tax Digital software. Businesses need to have signed up to Making Tax Digital for their first VAT return starting on or after 1 April 2022. [gov.uk/government/news/making-tax-digital-for-vat-is-coming-are-you-ready](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-tax-digital-for-vat-is-coming-are-you-ready) Retrieved 13 November 2026 See every date on the [MTD calendar](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/mtd-calendar.html). ## Ready to file - [File a VAT return](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/hmrc/vat/submitVat.html) ## Other filings - [How to file micro-entity accounts at Companies House](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/micro-entity-accounts.html) - [How to file small company accounts at Companies House](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/small-company-accounts.html) - [How to file dormant company accounts at Companies House](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/dormant-company-accounts.html) - [How to file a confirmation statement (CS01)](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/confirmation-statement.html) - [MTD VAT bridging software compared by price](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/mtd-vat-bridging-software-compared.html) Each filing and the channels that offer it are in the [availability table](https://submit.diyaccounting.co.uk/mtd-calendar.html#availability).