Company News

VAT Returns Are Now Live — And Completely Free

WeFile Team·5 August 2026·4 min read

We're thrilled to announce that VAT return filing is now live on WeFile — and it's completely free for every user. Whether you're a sole trader, a small business owner, or an accountant managing multiple clients, you can now submit your Making Tax Digital (MTD) VAT returns directly to HMRC through WeFile at no cost whatsoever.

This has been one of the most requested features since we launched, and we're proud to deliver it with the same simplicity and reliability you've come to expect from our CT600 and Companies House filing services.

Why We Made VAT Returns Free

At WeFile, we believe that basic tax compliance shouldn't be a financial burden. Many small businesses and sole traders already face tight margins, and paying monthly or annual fees just to stay compliant with HMRC's MTD requirements adds unnecessary cost.

Our mission has always been to make tax filing accessible, affordable, and straightforward. By offering VAT returns completely free of charge — with no hidden fees, no filing limits, and no membership required — we're removing one more barrier between businesses and compliance.

What You Can Do

Our VAT return service is packed with everything you need to stay on top of your VAT obligations:

  • Connect securely to HMRC — Authorise WeFile via HMRC's official Government Gateway using OAuth. We never see or store your HMRC password.
  • View your obligations in real time — Your open and fulfilled VAT periods are synced directly from HMRC, so you always know what's due and when.
  • Submit your 9-box VAT return — Fill in your figures with auto-calculated totals that help prevent errors before submission.
  • Import data from CSV or Excel — Upload your VAT figures from a spreadsheet for quick, accurate entry.
  • Get instant confirmation — Receive immediate acceptance confirmation from HMRC once your return is successfully submitted.
  • Track your submission history — Access a full record of every VAT return you've filed through WeFile.

How to Get Started

Getting started takes just a few minutes:

  1. Log in to your WeFile account (or create a free account if you haven't already).
  2. Navigate to "VAT Returns" in the left-hand sidebar of your dashboard.
  3. Click "Connect to HMRC" and follow the prompts to authorise WeFile via HMRC's Government Gateway.
  4. Once connected, your open VAT obligations will appear automatically.
  5. Select a period, enter your figures, review, and submit — it's that simple.

The entire process is guided step by step, so even if you've never filed a VAT return online before, you'll find it straightforward.

MTD Compliant and HMRC Recognised

WeFile is an officially recognised software provider for HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT. This means your submissions are fully compliant with HMRC's digital record-keeping and reporting requirements.

All data is transmitted securely using HMRC's official APIs, and we adhere to the strict fraud prevention header requirements mandated by HMRC for all MTD software providers.

No Catches, No Limits

We want to be completely transparent about what "free" means:

  • No per-filing fees — Submit as many VAT returns as you need.
  • No membership required — VAT filing is available to every registered WeFile user, regardless of whether you have an accountant membership or API subscription.
  • No time limits — This isn't a trial or promotional offer. Free means free, permanently.
  • No feature restrictions — You get the full experience: HMRC connection, obligation sync, data import, submission, and confirmation.

Works Alongside Your Existing WeFile Services

If you're already using WeFile for CT600 corporation tax filing or Companies House returns, VAT returns slot right into your existing workflow. Everything lives under one roof — one login, one dashboard, one place to manage all your company's filing obligations.

And if you're an accountant with a WeFile membership, your clients' VAT returns are included at no extra cost on top of your existing plan.

What's Next

This launch is just the beginning. We're actively working on enhancements including integration with popular accounting software for automatic VAT figure imports, multi-company VAT management improvements, and detailed VAT reporting and analytics.

We'd love to hear your feedback as you start using the service. If you have any questions, suggestions, or run into any issues, don't hesitate to get in touch — our support team is here to help.

Ready to file your first VAT return? Log in to your account and head to VAT Returns in your dashboard to get started.