Submit your VAT return from Excel.
Making Tax Digital for VAT lets you keep your spreadsheet, as long as the figures reach HMRC through compatible software over digital links, never by retyping or copying and pasting. Clients Assistant is that bridge: link the nine boxes in your workbook, check them, and submit the return.
What Making Tax Digital asks of a spreadsheet
HMRC requires every VAT-registered business to keep its records digitally and submit through compatible software. A spreadsheet counts, used together with bridging software, but the data has to move between programs electronically.
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping records | In a spreadsheet, or in accounting software | On paper only |
| Moving figures between files | Formulas linking cells, or importing and exporting files | Retyping, or copying and pasting by hand |
| Sending the return | Through MTD-compatible software, such as bridging software | Without compatible software |
HMRC's own words: it does not consider using cut and paste or copy and paste to move information a digital link.
From your workbook to HMRC
Link your workbook
Download our VAT template, or link the cells of the workbook you already use to it. Your records stay where they are.
Check the nine boxes
Upload the file. Clients Assistant shows the nine box figures for the period so you can check them before anything is sent.
Submit to HMRC
Send the return, then see your past returns, liabilities and payments together in one dashboard.
No spreadsheet? Use your records instead
If you keep your invoices, bills and other records in Clients Assistant, the VAT Return page works out the nine boxes from them, on standard, cash or flat rate accounting, and you file from the same page. Use one way for each VAT period.
What it costs
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 VAT registration | £3 + VAT a month (£2.50 a month billed yearly) |
| 2 to 5 registrations | £15 + VAT a month |
| 6 to 20 registrations | £29 + VAT a month |
Every new account files its first VAT return free, on any plan, with no card needed.
Questions people ask
Yes. A spreadsheet is fine as long as it's used with bridging software and the figures move to HMRC over digital links. Clients Assistant is HMRC-recognised bridging software for MTD VAT.
A transfer of data made electronically, such as a formula linking cells or importing a file. HMRC doesn't accept retyping, or cut and paste or copy and paste, as a digital link.
No. Only the nine VAT box figures are sent to file your return. Your working file and its data stay with you.
Yes. Our template works out the nine boxes on standard, cash or flat rate accounting. If you use your own workbook, Clients Assistant files whatever its boxes 1 to 9 contain.
Yes, provided your workbook already calculates the correct figures for boxes 1 to 9.
Every new account files one VAT return free, on any plan, with no card details needed up front.
Yes. An admin invites them by email from the Users page, and they can prepare and submit the returns with you.
Checked against GOV.UK on 15 October 2026. Sources: VAT Notice 700/22: Making Tax Digital for VAT.
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