https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHMRCED/bulletins/2834c9c

Dear customer,

The Chancellor announced a VAT payments deferral on 20 March to support businesses with cash flow during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This means that all businesses with a UK VAT registration have the option to defer VAT payments due between 20 March and 3‌0‌‌ June.

You therefore have until 3‌1‌‌ March 2021 to pay any VAT deferred as a result of this announcement.

You do not need to inform HMRC if you wish to defer payment. You can opt in to the deferral simply by not making VAT payments due in this period. If you pay by Direct Debit you should cancel this with your bank. You should do so in sufficient time so that HMRC does not attempt to automatically collect on receipt of their VAT return.

Should you wish, you can continue to make payments as normal during the deferral period. HMRC will also continue to pay repayment claims as normal. You must continue to submit VAT returns as normal.

Further Updates VAT

VAT payments you can defer

You can only defer:

• quarterly and monthly VAT returns’ payments for the periods ending in February, March and April
• payments on account due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020
• annual accounting advance payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020

The deferral does not cover payments for VAT MOSS or import VAT.

VAT repayments and returns

HMRC will continue to process VAT reclaims and refunds as normal and most repayments are paid within 5 working days.

Repayments will not be offset against any deferred VAT, but they will be offset against existing debts.

You can apply online to move to monthly returns to improve your cashflow if you’re in a repayment position.

How deferring VAT affects payments on account

If you defer a payment on account between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 but the balancing payment is outside of these dates, the amount you must pay is the balancing payment less any deferred payments. Deferring payments will not create a repayment.