New VAT Late Submission, Late Payment Penalties and Interest Charges
As part of HMRC’s ambition to become a modern, trusted tax authority, it is changing the way penalties are issued for submitting late VAT returns and paying VAT late, which will affect all VAT registered businesses from 1 January 2023.
For VAT periods starting on or after 1 January 2023, HMRC is replacing the default surcharge with separate penalties for late returns and late payment of VAT. At the same time, HMRC is introducing a new approach to VAT interest.
If you submit your VAT return late
Late submission penalties will work on a points-based system. For each VAT Return you submit late you will receive one late submission penalty point. Once a penalty threshold is reached, you will receive a £200 penalty and a further £200 penalty for each subsequent late submission.
The late submission penalty points threshold will vary according to your submission frequency.
Submission frequency | Penalty points threshold | Period of compliance |
---|---|---|
Annually | 2 | 24 months |
Quarterly | 4 | 12 months |
Monthly | 5 | 6 months |
You will be able to reset your points back to zero if you:
- submit your returns on or before the due date for your period of compliance — this will be based on your submission frequency
- make sure all outstanding returns due for the previous 24 months have been received by HMRC
The new points–based system for late submissions is designed to be more lenient for the occasional slip–up, whilst still penalising those who repeatedly fail to comply. Late payment penalties will be charged at different rates based on when payment is received. This means the penalty is more proportionate to the length of time a payment is outstanding – the sooner you pay, the lower the penalty.
HMRC is also introducing late payment interest, which means that you’ll be charged interest from the date your payment is overdue, until the date you pay in full. HMRC is discontinuing repayment supplement and instead will be introducing repayment interest. Customers who make a repayment claim will be paid repayment interest from the day after the due date, or the date of the submission (whichever is later), to the date the repayment is made.
By introducing these changes, HMRC is aiming to incentivise businesses to file their returns on time and pay their VAT on time. This will make it easier for businesses to understand their obligations and help to ensure that HMRC continues to be a modern, trusted tax authority.
For more information, see the HMRC guidance on how to prepare for upcoming changes to VAT penalties and VAT interest charges.
Speak to us if you need help preparting and submissing your VAT returns on time. Our experienced bookkeeping team will be happy to help.