Connect to HMRC for MTD for VAT
This article explains how to connect your FreeAgent account to HMRC in order to make Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT submissions. It also explains which filing credentials you need to use in FreeAgent.
If you need to connect FreeAgent to HMRC for Income Tax, read how to prepare for MTD for Income Tax in FreeAgent and connect to HMRC for MTD for Income Tax instead.
Please note that once you’ve connected FreeAgent to HMRC, you’ll need to update the connection every 18 months.
If you're an accountant with a Practice Dashboard, here's how to set up your practice for MTD.
Before you start
Before you can connect FreeAgent to HMRC, you'll need to enter your VAT registration details in FreeAgent.
To do this, select ‘Settings’ from the drop-down menu at the top-right of the screen and select ‘VAT Registration’.
Enter the relevant details and select 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the screen to complete the process. See more information on how to enter your initial VAT settings.
Connect FreeAgent to HMRC
Navigate to the drop-down menu under your business name and select ‘Connections & Add-ons’.
Select ‘Get started’ in the HMRC connections section. Please note that only users with full (level 8) access will be able to see the ‘HMRC connections’ section.
Select ‘Connect FreeAgent to HMRC’.
You'll be redirected to the HMRC website to complete the connection process. Select ‘Continue’ and fill in your Government Gateway credentials.
If you’re unable to locate your Government Gateway User ID, you can search your emails for a ‘no-reply@access.service.gov.uk’ email address which is used to issue these credentials.
When the connection is completed successfully, you’ll see the following screen:
What happens next?
You will now be able to file your VAT returns via MTD using FreeAgent.
HMRC requires you to update your connection every 18 months. FreeAgent will display an ‘Expiring soon’ warning in the 'HMRC Connection' box on the right-hand side of your VAT returns 10 days before the connection is due to expire.’
To learn more about the government's Making Tax Digital initiative, check out our MTD guides and resources.
Problems connecting
If there is a problem during the connection process, you will see the following error message:
The error could mean one of the following things:
- You’ve entered your VAT number incorrectly. Please double-check that the VAT number in your FreeAgent account matches the VAT number in your HMRC business tax account.
- If the VAT numbers in your FreeAgent account and HMRC business tax account do match, please try again using the same credentials you used to sign in to your business tax account.
Government Gateway or Companies House: which filing credentials do I need to use in FreeAgent?
In this video, Nicolas from the FreeAgent support team explains what HMRC Government Gateway and Companies House filing credentials are, and when you’ll need them in FreeAgent.