VAT bill refunded?

[kermitt]

Checking my accounts today and note an automated refund was received on Friday for the whole amount of my VAT bill for Q1 of 2019.

The original bill payment was made on time near the beginning of April and was not due until May.

Have asked my accountant why but still waiting on response.

Never happened to me before, anyone know why this might have occurred or happened to them before?

[northernladuk]

Anything to do with MTD? . We've had posts about problems with direct debits but no one has mentioned a refund.

[kermitt]

I wondered the same initially, although if there had been an issue I would have expected a letter from HMRC in the first instance.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

It's possible that because you paid it a month early that HMRC's systems have noted the credit and refunded you. Had the VAT return been submitted and received prior to the payment?

It might be simpler going forward to simply set up a Direct Debit and let HMRC take the payment when it's due.

[DolanContractorGroup]

I wonder if the return had gone through okay with HMRC? The VAT office do seem to be the quickest office at sending refunds so a credit on their records would normally be from two payments being made or a return specifically with refund figures on.

KR
Sophie