Paying VAT online

[gingerjedi]

I've always put a check in the post but last time I paid online making sure I entered the details exactly as requested.

This morning I received a nasty letter from the VATman informing me that I haven't paid, I wouldn't mind if there was one single mention of it possibly being an admin error on their part but no it just lists all the fines and penalties should I fail to pay the figure that they seem to have plucked out of the air.

Double checked the payment with my bank and it was paid 14/04/2009.

Anyone else had problems with online VAT payments?

[downsouth]

check with HMRC the payment reference code you used was correct for the VAT period you were paying, I too fell foul of this based on the ref code my accountant gave me.

Always best to speak direct to HMRC as they will see a payment just under a diff ref code.

[gingerjedi]

Just thought...

I still have the green form, should I have sent it even though I paid online?

Seems a bit pointless paying electronically and then sending a form that has no way of indicating how I've paid.

[downsouth]

Yep, still send the green form in also, doesn't quite make sense to me either, but dont really want to upset the Vat Man

The form has a tick box if you enclose a chq, so they will know when processing the form if you have paid online or not.

[gingerjedi]

check with HMRC the payment reference code you used was correct for the VAT period you were paying, I too fell foul of this based on the ref code my accountant gave me.

Always best to speak direct to HMRC as they will see a payment just under a diff ref code.

A ref code is only applicable to Corp tax and PAYE, when you pay VAT you just use your VAT number surely?

On the form it says I need to provide the following info to make an online payment:


Payment amount
account name: HMRC VAT
sort code: 10-00-00
account number: 52055000
VAT Registration Number

They're shut til Tuesday.

[ctdctd]

I do VAT return online and pay by bacs transfer from the bank using the account details you have listed above. Never sent any forms by post. May be different if you do manual return though?

[downsouth]

my mistake, that'll teach me to try and use me brain on a saturday!!

All your dets are correct, It might be worth if you haven't already speaking with your bank, your OP didnt say if you had or just checked online.

Gather all the info and then contact the vat gang

[gingerjedi]

my mistake, that'll teach me to try and use me brain on a saturday!!

All your dets are correct, It might be worth if you haven't already speaking with your bank, your OP didnt say if you had or just checked online.

Gather all the info and then contact the vat gang

Well the details were correct and the payment went so they must have it? Over £500 more than the estimate which they seemed to have just guessed as they have no idea what I invoiced for.

[Troll]

I'm having exactly the same issue with a VAT payment already sent - Revenue keep sending bollox letters saying amount is owed, looks like they may have a problem with their systems

[blacjac]

Yes, the problem will be you didn't send the green form.

Without that they have no idea what you are paying them for so will not process the return.

I've been doing this for 3 years with no problems (send off green form, pay by BACS or bank transfer)