VAT returns still due on weekends and bank holidays

By Audrey Rankine

HMRC has said that it is increasingly seeing VAT returns incorrectly submitted after the statutory due date, where the 7th of the month falls on a weekend or bank holiday. It suspects this is due to taxpayers and/or agents relying on third party websites and AI search summaries providing incorrect information on the due dates.

The date a VAT return is due is fixed in law. HMRC does not allow an extension for submitting VAT returns with a due date that falls on a weekend or bank holiday. The same is true for VAT and other tax payments.

If you file your VAT return late you could rack up late submission points or penalties.

In Summary
HMRC is reminding taxpayers and agents that where the deadline to submit a VAT return falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the return remains due on that date and there is no extension until the next working day.

If you would like to discuss this further with the JRW Hogg & Thorburn team please do get in touch.