Send a VAT return to a client for approval
This article explains the process of sending a VAT return to a client for approval and then submitting it to HMRC once the client has approved it.
Practice users with an Admin role can set up default settings for the practice to control whether VAT returns will require approvals from clients with level 7 or 8 access to their FreeAgent accounts. Approvals can also be turned on for MTD for Income Tax and end-of-year accounts submissions. Read how to send an MTD for Income Tax and end-of-year accounts submission to a client for approval.
These settings will be applied to all clients, including those that are linked to the dashboard. However, they can be changed for individual clients.
Send a VAT return for approval
If approvals are turned on for VAT returns, select ‘Switch to’ beside the relevant client to access their account.
Within your client’s account, navigate to the 'Taxes' tab at the top of the screen and select 'VAT' from the drop-down menu.
Next, select the VAT return that you would like to send for approval.
Select ‘Send for approval’ in the top-right.
Tick the box to declare that you’ve double-checked that the details of the client’s VAT return are correct and select ‘Send VAT Return for approval’ to send the VAT return to the client for them to approve.
Tick the ‘Send email notification’ box if you’d like to send the client an email notification that the VAT return is ready to be approved.
If you choose to send an email, a default message will appear in the ‘Message’ field but you can edit this text if you wish. If you don’t want to send an email to the client, untick the ‘Send email notification’ checkbox.
Enter your name in the ‘Signed by’ field and select ‘Send VAT return for approval’ to complete the process.
If you choose to send an email, the client will receive an email with a link to log in to their account to approve and sign the VAT return. If you choose not to send them an email, the client can go to the VAT return within their account to approve and sign it.
Once the client has approved the return, you can file the VAT return to HMRC.