Volunteers required for testing the IT system for the VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme
10 February 2021
HMRC is currently looking for volunteers who can test the IT system for the VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme.
The scheme enables businesses that opted to defer their VAT between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 to repay it in smaller instalments, interest free, over the course of 2021 to 2022. Businesses may choose to repay the deferred VAT in anything between two and 11 payments. The scheme will be accessed via a simple digital service, which HMRC needs to test ahead of its full launch.
This is a crucial piece of work, which will ensure that the service is robust and easily accessible, prior to the launch of the scheme to businesses up and down the country. It does not need specialist software and it is a self-guided journey (rather than one that is completed by an agent). HMRC requires a broad cross-section of customers who meet their desired tester profile, meaning that volunteers will be required to take part in a short telephone or online interview.
Any businesses interested in participating in the Beta testing should email [email protected] as soon as possible, but before close of business on 12 February 2021. They should include their contact details and include “Volunteer Beta Tester – New Payment Scheme” in the subject line.
There is guidance available on paying VAT deferred due coronavirus online.
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication. For all the latest information, news and resources on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting payroll professions, visit our Coronavirus hub.