3 ms·

I'm really surprised the software isn't simply a fully online webapp... This is designed for small employers - they want something easy like a website, not spe

I'm really surprised the software isn't simply a fully online webapp... This is designed for small employers - they want something easy like a website, not specialist software they need to install with a database that must be backed up manually. For those businesses with extreme corner cases ("we don't have internet", "we only pay employees on the full moon", etc), let them continue to use the old paper forms.

Shrezzing 3y ago
I think pretty much 100% of companies just use the online portals provided by the tax software vendors. Companies without direct access to the internet just file their VAT via their accountant, or manually file them through physical mail.
- cameronh90 3y ago
  This is about PAYE, not VAT, but I believe with VAT, there is no longer a physical mail option. All VAT must now be filed digitally in the UK (see Making Tax Digital).
- pyb 3y ago
  > Companies without direct access to the internet Don't think HMRC accepts this in 2024.
  - londons_explore 3y ago
    Someone somewhere will say their religion forbids them to use a computer...
jlokier 3y ago
> I'm really surprised the software isn't simply a fully online webapp... They're actually going in the opposite direction. It was possible to file VAT on HMRC's website a couple of years ago, but they've taken that option away. Now you have to use 3rd party software to file VAT. It's because they added requirements that your filing software is linked to whatever system you use for business accounts, even if it's a spreadsheet for now. For PAYE, you can use HMRC's tool described in the article, if you're a small enough business, or 3rd party tools, which could be a webapp or not, or your accountant's services. I agree, a webapp would be much more sensible for PAYE, as it could keep up with the monthly rule changes. If you have a registered business, you already have the login, form-filling support etc you would need, as it is used for other taxes and admin on HMRC's site. In a twist, the HMRC tool the article is about is actually a webapp that runs locally. For Corporation Tax, you have to use 3rd party software or services. That's been true for a long time. Historically this software was expensive, so most people ended up using an accountant's services even if just to be able to file Corporation Tax after doing their own accounts. It's more accessible now. You can file it on HMRC's website if the company accounts are simple enough. You can file it at the same time as the Companies House statements, if you're organised enough. For Income Tax from your business, that's going to change to require your filing software to be linked to the system you use for business accounts too, in 2026 or 2027 depending on size of business. I guess that might mean you won't be able to file income tax on HMRC's website any more.

Shrezzing 3y ago

I think pretty much 100% of companies just use the online portals provided by the tax software vendors. Companies without direct access to the internet just file their VAT via their accountant, or manually file them through physical mail.

cameronh90 3y ago
This is about PAYE, not VAT, but I believe with VAT, there is no longer a physical mail option. All VAT must now be filed digitally in the UK (see Making Tax Digital).
pyb 3y ago
> Companies without direct access to the internet Don't think HMRC accepts this in 2024.
- londons_explore 3y ago
  Someone somewhere will say their religion forbids them to use a computer...

jlokier 3y ago

> I'm really surprised the software isn't simply a fully online webapp... They're actually going in the opposite direction. It was possible to file VAT on HMRC's website a couple of years ago, but they've taken that option away. Now you have to use 3rd party software to file VAT. It's because they added requirements that your filing software is linked to whatever system you use for business accounts, even if it's a spreadsheet for now. For PAYE, you can use HMRC's tool described in the article, if you're a small enough business, or 3rd party tools, which could be a webapp or not, or your accountant's services. I agree, a webapp would be much more sensible for PAYE, as it could keep up with the monthly rule changes. If you have a registered business, you already have the login, form-filling support etc you would need, as it is used for other taxes and admin on HMRC's site. In a twist, the HMRC tool the article is about is actually a webapp that runs locally. For Corporation Tax, you have to use 3rd party software or services. That's been true for a long time. Historically this software was expensive, so most people ended up using an accountant's services even if just to be able to file Corporation Tax after doing their own accounts. It's more accessible now. You can file it on HMRC's website if the company accounts are simple enough. You can file it at the same time as the Companies House statements, if you're organised enough. For Income Tax from your business, that's going to change to require your filing software to be linked to the system you use for business accounts too, in 2026 or 2027 depending on size of business. I guess that might mean you won't be able to file income tax on HMRC's website any more.