Scroll To Top
scroll to content

VAT – Deferral of Payments

Deferral of VAT Payments
Back to Insights

Temporary changes to the VAT payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 to help businesses manage their cash flow.

If you’re a UK VAT registered business and have a VAT payment due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020, you have the option to:

  • defer the payment until a later date
  • pay the VAT due as normal

HMRC will not charge interest or penalties on any amount deferred as a result of the Chancellor’s announcement.

VAT payments you can defer

You can only defer:

  • quarterly and monthly VAT returns’ payments for the periods ending in February, March and April
  • payments on account due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020
  • annual accounting advance payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020

The deferral does not cover payments for VAT MOSS or import VAT.

VAT repayments and returns

HMRC will continue to process VAT reclaims and refunds as normal and most repayments are paid within 5 working days.

Repayments will not be offset against any deferred VAT, but they will be offset against existing debts.

You can apply online to move to monthly returns to improve your cashflow if you’re in a repayment position.

How deferring VAT affects payments on account

If you defer payment on the account between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 but the balancing payment is outside of these dates, the amount you must pay is the balancing payment less any deferred payments. Deferring payments will not create a repayment.

You will still need to submit your VAT returns to HMRC on time.

If you choose to defer paying your VAT

If you choose to defer your VAT payment as a result of coronavirus, you must pay the VAT due on or before 31 March 2021.

You do not need to tell HMRC that you’re deferring your VAT payment.

Payments made by Direct Debit

If you normally pay by Direct Debit you should cancel your Direct Debit through your bank as soon as possible so that HMRC will not automatically collect any VAT due. You can cancel online if you’re registered for online banking.

After the VAT deferral ends

VAT payments that are due after the end of the deferral period will need to be paid as normal.

Get in touch...