Hi all, new here on the forums but have been using FA since 2013, I have a number clients/companies I use it in, two of them are VAT registered so finding a solution to this would be beneficial.
I have subscribed to HMRC as a developer and read through some of the information, this is an update of my findings so far.
As vernonr suggests they are using OAuth2 in the authorisation/flow process.
The identification of EC VAT Transactions is something I feel we should be able to cope with , maybe with report change and flagging a supplier record as an EC supplier.
Background...
I also have a client that uses a high profile package, and as a result of MTD has had to spend £1500 pa on upgrading the system to a 10 user support contract to get their MTD module, being involved in a couple of the meetings it was frustrating to me and obvious as to why they had implemented in the way they had, and I concluded it was to maximise this opportunity for their financial gain etc. (It may also be they were involved in helping to develop the spec in this direction as part of a software focus group or something.)
Now the above may be true, the reality is that there is a reason why all of the software offerings appear to be based on cloud solutions and monthly fees. The system is designed around a MAN IN THE MIDDLE approach, meaning you communicate your data to an authorised provider/application and that application interacts with the HMRC API on your behalf.
Even the bridging software solutions are the same, and that is why they ask you to create an account with them, I am looking at the suggestion made by dls and this looks to be the best short term quick fix.
https://www.taxoptimiser.co.uk/Features/MTDVAT
Go to the site and watch the video, listen very carefully to the commentary and you will see that the process is,
1) Create an account with them
2) Authorise them to send data to HMRC on your behalf
3) Create a spreadsheet using their template
4) CUT and PASTE your figures into the spread sheet so you have box's 1-9 ready
5) drop the spreadsheet onto their portal, you are logged into, and they will submit it.
6) They will return a confirmation you can save/print.
or www.xlvat.com - another bridging package.
Currently the version of FA I use is 2.3.13. My current process is as follows (already raised by others), when I did my VAT returns I created a spread sheet, filled it with the data from a few FA reports along with any adjustments and then created a subsection for box's 1-9, which I then used when I logged onto HMRC for my VAT account and file the VT100.
So the tax optimiser is the closest solution, reasonably priced and a simple way to comply IN THE SHORT TERM.
WARNING !!!! This is not a long plan, it uses HMRC's 12 month soft landing plan where they allow for a CUT & PASTE operation as a valid digital transfer method. As I read it they are committed to removing this option making it only possible for complete electronic generation of the VAT return in the future.
So we still need a better solution in the next 12 months...… but using bridging software gives us some time.
I would also be interested to know how other people are hosting FA, I am using a wamp installation on a local computer resource, and then logging into it over my local network. My local server does not have externally facing public domain name (MORE ON THIS IN PART2)
In PART2 I will discuss my progress so far …
ps.. before I get any negative responses I am not affiliated in any way with the taxoptimiser people, it's just the simplest I have seen so far, it's free to start with (just my opinion, please do your own research before making any decisions.)
The reason for this post is to start a more detailed discussion on MTD integration into Front Accounting this is my goal.