COVID-19: VAT payment deferral measures - Updated: 28 September 2020
At a glance
What's new
Winter Economy plan
On 24 September 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a package of new measures to support the economy during the Coronavirus pandemic including reduced VAT rates and additional time to pay deferred taxes.
Summer Economic update
VAT registered business are not required to make VAT payments that are due from 20 March 2020 to 30 June 2020.
This relief is automatic: it does not need to be claimed.
Your VAT liability and payment is not cancelled, it is deferred. Any VAT liability will need to be settled by 31 March 2021.
VAT refunds and reclaims are not affected.
This deferral measure will apply to VAT payments due for the VAT quarters:
Direct debits
If you pay your VAT by direct debit you must cancel the direct debit with your bank, if you wish to defer payment.
HMRC say, "Please do so in sufficient time so that HMRC do not attempt to automatically collect on receipt of your VAT return".
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has made a request to HMRC to ask whether it can automatically stop collection of VAT by direct debit. It would appear from the statement above that HMRC are unable to do this.
Services
01332 202660
61 Friar Gate Derby DE1 1DJ
Registered to carry out audit work Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
www.auditregister.org.uk under number 8011438