VAT registration, scheme advice and Making Tax Digital returns — submitted directly from Xero, reviewed by qualified accountants, on time every quarter.
For most UK businesses, VAT is a quarterly fire-drill: scrambling for invoices, second-guessing categorisations, hoping the numbers reconcile. AccTek inverts that. Your VAT position is tracked continuously in Xero, reviewed by your accountant, and submitted to HMRC under Making Tax Digital with days to spare — not hours.
From registration through scheme selection to the final submission, VAT becomes a check-and-approve workflow rather than a panic.
Registration, scheme advice, returns and reviews — coordinated end-to-end so nothing falls through the gaps.
We register your business with HMRC, advise on voluntary vs mandatory registration, and set up your Xero VAT settings correctly from day one.
Quarterly VAT returns prepared from your Xero data and submitted directly to HMRC under Making Tax Digital. Digital records, end-to-end.
Flat Rate, Cash Accounting, Annual Accounting or standard — we model each scheme against your business and recommend the most efficient choice.
Your accountant reviews every return before submission. Errors, missing receipts and unusual transactions flagged and resolved — not pushed to next quarter.
If HMRC raises questions, we handle the correspondence directly — explaining your position, providing evidence and protecting your business.
The AI Finance Lab tracks your VAT liability live — so you know what you owe weeks before it’s due, with no quarterly surprises.
Required to register when taxable turnover exceeds this in any rolling 12 months
May deregister if turnover is expected to fall below this in the next 12 months
VAT returns are typically filed every three months under Making Tax Digital
The right scheme can simplify admin, improve cash flow, or both. We model each option against your actual numbers before recommending.
| Scheme | Best for | Turnover limit | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard accountingInvoice-based VAT, the default option | Most established businesses | No limit | Reclaim VAT as soon as you’re invoiced; standard quarterly returns |
| Flat Rate SchemePay a fixed % of gross turnover | Service businesses, contractors, low-cost-base traders | Up to £150,000 | Simpler admin and potentially lower VAT bill if input VAT is low |
| Cash Accounting SchemePay VAT when invoices are paid, not raised | Businesses with slow-paying customers | Up to £1.35m | Better cash flow — no VAT due on invoices you haven’t been paid for |
| Annual Accounting SchemeOne return per year with interim payments | Smaller, stable businesses | Up to £1.35m | One annual return instead of four; smoother cash payments |
Making Tax Digital is HMRC’s long-term programme to move the UK tax system fully online. Here’s where it stands now.
All VAT-registered businesses must keep digital records and file returns through MTD-compatible software. Xero is fully MTD-compliant.
Self-employed individuals and landlords with combined business and property income above £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates.
The threshold drops to £30,000. Most sole traders and landlords above this level fall within MTD for Income Tax.
Sales, purchases and expenses flow into Xero with the correct VAT codes applied automatically by AI.
Your accountant runs an interim review — flagging missing receipts and unusual transactions before quarter-end.
Full VAT return drafted within five working days of quarter-end. You review and approve in your AccTek portal.
Return submitted to HMRC under Making Tax Digital directly from Xero. Confirmation, archive and reminders sent.
Get an instant quote in under two minutes, or book a free consultation to discuss VAT scheme optimisation, registration timing or catch-up support.
Official guidance
For the latest HMRC and Companies House guidance, see Making Tax Digital for VAT. AccTek Ltd is an independent accountancy firm and is not affiliated with HMRC or GOV.UK.
AccTek is a member firm of the Institute of Certified Practising Accountants (ICPA). Our accountants have a wide range of qualifications and accreditations from trusted professional bodies such as the AAT, ICPA, and ACCA.
