BTCSoftware continues to be at the helm of Making Tax Digital’s (MTD) evolution with the team currently helping HMRC in its latest phase of testing.
HMRC is now running a Private Beta Test of MTD for VAT. Here, specific individuals and agents have been selected to file specific types of company VAT returns to test different aspects of the MTD for VAT system.
BTCSoftware are part of this testing phase and we are delighted some of our customers have kindly volunteered to file some of their clients’ VAT returns as part of the project.
Commenting on our work with HMRC, BTCSoftware CEO – Rob Ellis – said,
“For the past three years we have been working in close partnership with HMRC to ensure Making Tax Digital is as smooth as possible for our customers. We feel it is important to help HMRC find practical solutions to the technical challenges MTD presents. By working closely with them, we hope to ensure that MTD doesn’t present undue burden and unnecessary work pressures on accountancy and finance professionals.”
In fact, BTCSoftware has recently showcased its quick and easy MTD for VAT solution which seamlessly posts data from Accountants’ spreadsheets into a MTD-compliant VAT submission.
Supporting HMRC’s API development
In addition to the Private Beta Test, BTCSoftware has also been helping HMRC assess and improve its APIs from a developer point of view. For the unfamiliar, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) enable data to effectively pass through HMRC’s portal from third party software, such as BTCSoftware’s.
HMRC is heavily reliant on third party software to make MTD work and so needs to ensure that its Developer Hub is easy to use.
In a recent visit by HMRC representatives to the BTCSoftware offices, the team were able to help HMRC evaluate the User Interface of its Developer Hub (HMRC’s portal for third party software developers).
HMRC wants to ensure developers of all abilities (from junior through to senior) are able to use their API documentation and guidance via the Hub easily. Going forward, this will help to ensure MTD software complies consistently with the regulations.
A busy summer ahead
It looks like the BTCSoftware team will be kept busy over the summer testing different aspects of HMRC’s Private Beta programme. HMRC have plans to widen the testing in a Public Beta evaluation sometime in the Autumn. At that point any individual or agent should be able to file MTD VAT returns. We’re waiting to hear when exactly the Public Beta will launch.
In the meantime you can catch up on all our current MTD Solutions and developments, or contact the sales team on t: 0345 241 5030 or e: sales@btcsoftware.co.uk
