Reconnect to HMRC for Making Tax Digital for VAT

This article explains how to reconnect your FreeAgent account with HMRC for Making Tax Digital for VAT.

Please note that if your MTD for Income Tax connection with HMRC in FreeAgent has expired, read how to reconnect to HMRC for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

When to reconnect

Once you have established your MTD for VAT connection with HMRC from within FreeAgent, you will be able to file MTD VAT returns through the software.

Every 18 months you’ll be required by HMRC to update this connection. 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.

When this alert appears, select 'Update connection'.

Alternatively, follow the steps below to reconnect your existing HMRC connection in FreeAgent.

How to reconnect

Navigate to the drop-down menu under your business name and select ‘Connections & Add-ons’.

Select 'Manage' in the 'HMRC connections' section.

From the 'HMRC Connections' page, select 'Reconnect with HMRC'.

You'll be redirected to HMRC to complete the connection process. Select ‘Continue’, enter your Government Gateway credentials manually rather than allowing your browser to auto-fill the fields for you, to avoid any errors and grant authority to complete the reconnection process.

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. 

If you have multiple business Government Gateway accounts, you can consider merging them by removing the VAT service from one account and adding it to the other you wish to use going forward. Read more from HMRC on getting the most from your business tax account.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to continue to file your MTD VAT returns as normal from within FreeAgent.

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.