UK consults on offline VAT returns

Last year, the UK tax authorities, HMRC, lost an appeal hearing at the First Tier Tribunal for compelling all taxable persons to file their VAT returns online.  The basis of the loss was that not all persons have access to the internet, or may have personal physical restrictions.

The UK has therefore opened a public consultation for alternatives for UK VAT registered businesses to file VAT returns.  Some of the early suggestions to online returns are a telephone service, or appointments with the local HMRC offices.

The consultation will close on 14 February 2014.

The UK introduced electronic VAT filings for all businesses in April 2012.  Previously, larger businesses with a turnover above £100,000 per annum had already moved to e-returns.