Free tool
Which features do you need?
An honest comparison: what Swift VAT Pro includes and what it does not.
The 10 VAT return features that matter
- Filing through MTD. The return goes to HMRC through the Making Tax Digital service. HMRC's software finder lists recognised products.
- A digital link. Your figures arrive by file upload or straight from your records, never typed in by hand.
- Checks before sending. Box 3 and Box 5 worked out, Boxes 6 to 9 in whole pounds. A return cannot be changed once sent.
- Periods and due dates from HMRC, so you file the right period on time.
- Reminders before each deadline. A late return earns a penalty point.
- Plain-English errors when HMRC rejects a return.
- Receipts and history: HMRC's receipt reference kept for every return.
- Amounts owed and payments read from HMRC.
- More than one business or user, if you file for several businesses or work in a team.
- A clear yearly price and help from a person.
Features that belong to accounting software
- Bookkeeping and categorising transactions
- Sales invoicing, and e-invoicing from 2029
- Bank feeds
- Profit and loss and other management reports
These are useful if you want to replace your spreadsheet. If your spreadsheet works, you do not need to pay for them to file VAT. See bridging software vs accounting software.
What Swift VAT Pro does and does not do
- Does: file VAT returns through MTD from a CSV of your nine box totals, work out Box 3 and Box 5, check every box, show your periods, due dates, amounts owed and payments from HMRC, send reminders 4 days and 3 days before each deadline, explain HMRC errors in plain English, keep receipts, and cover up to 20, 100 or unlimited businesses on practice plans.
- Does not: keep your bookkeeping, send invoices, connect to bank feeds, file EU VAT such as One Stop Shop returns, or send MTD for Income Tax updates.
- Runs in your web browser, on a computer, tablet or phone, with nothing to install.
The features that stop mistakes and missed deadlines, from £5 a month
CSV upload, checks on every box, periods and due dates from HMRC, reminders and plain-English errors.
- Connect to HMRC on HMRC's own page with your Government Gateway sign-in. We never see that password.
- See your VAT periods, due dates, amounts owed and payments, read from HMRC.
- Upload your nine box totals as a CSV. Box 3 and Box 5 are worked out and every box is checked.
- Submit and keep HMRC's receipt. Reminder emails arrive before each due date.
No card needed · From £5 a month · Plans for up to 100 businesses · Filing through HMRC's MTD service since 2019
Final thoughts
The best VAT return features are the ones that stop mistakes and missed deadlines: a digital link, checks, due dates, reminders and help. Pay for bookkeeping features only if you will use them.
Disclaimer: This guide gives general information, not advice for your business. If you are unsure how the rules apply to you, speak to an accountant or contact HMRC.
Frequently asked questions
Checked against HMRC VAT Notice 700/22, HMRC's software finder and Swift VAT Pro's current features. November 2026.
What features should VAT return software have?
Do I need bookkeeping features to file VAT?
What does Swift VAT Pro not do?
Can I use VAT software on my phone?
How do I check VAT software is recognised by HMRC?
The features that stop mistakes and missed deadlines, from £5 a month.
Swift VAT Pro files your return to HMRC from the spreadsheet you already keep. From £5 a month.
No card needed · 2,900+ VAT returns filed since 2019