Help Centre

VAT and Tax

File VAT returns directly to HMRC, track Self Assessment, and stay on top of deadlines.

VAT Threshold Monitoring

Not sure if you need to register for VAT yet? The Dashboard shows a progress bar tracking your earnings against the 90,000 pound VAT registration threshold. This helps you know when you need to register.

Connecting to HMRC

To file VAT returns, you first need to connect Mint Books to HMRC:

1Go to Settings or VAT and click Connect to HMRC

2You are redirected to the HMRC website

3Log in with your Government Gateway credentials

4Grant access for VAT (MTD) submissions

5You are redirected back to Mint Books

Secure: Mint Books never sees your Government Gateway password. We use OAuth 2.0 and only store secure access tokens.

Submitting a VAT Return

1Go to VAT Returns in the sidebar

2Select the VAT period

3Mint Books automatically calculates the 9-box return from your invoices, expenses, and income

4Review the figures carefully

5Click Submit to HMRC

6You receive a confirmation with an HMRC receipt number

Important: Once submitted to HMRC, a return cannot be changed without contacting them directly. Always check your figures before submitting.

VAT Schemes Supported

Standard Accounting

VAT calculated on invoice dates

Cash Accounting

VAT calculated on payment dates

Flat Rate Scheme

VAT calculated as a percentage of gross turnover at your sector rate

VAT Period Locking: After you submit a VAT return, all records in that period are locked and cannot be edited. This maintains the audit trail.

Making Tax Digital (MTD)

Making Tax Digital is HMRC’s initiative to move tax reporting online. Mint Books is HMRC-recognised MTD software for VAT.

If you are VAT registered, you must keep digital records and submit VAT returns using MTD-compatible software. Mint Books handles all of this for you automatically.

Self Assessment

For sole traders, partnerships, and LLPs. Track your self-assessment tax obligations with estimated tax liability, payment on account tracking, key deadline reminders, and income and expense summaries for your tax return.

From April 2026, sole traders earning over 50,000 pounds must submit quarterly digital updates to HMRC. Mint Books supports quarterly updates, End of Period Statements, and Final Declarations.

Pro plan only. Not shown for limited companies (they use corporation tax instead).

Tax Summary

A comprehensive overview of your estimated tax liability, available in Advanced Mode. Includes:

✓Income tax calculations using correct bands for England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland

✓National Insurance Class 2 and Class 4 calculations

✓Corporation tax for limited companies

✓Dividend tax with allowance tracking

✓Upcoming tax deadlines and year-over-year comparisons

✓Student loan repayments, home office rate calculations, and capital allowance integration

Pro plan only.

File your VAT return in minutes

HMRC-recognised MTD software. Try free for 14 days.

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