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Your VAT deadlines for the next 12 months
Based on GOV.UK VAT return deadlines. Your exact periods are in your VAT online account.
VAT return deadlines by filing frequency
| How you file | Periods end | Returns and payment due |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly, stagger 1 | March, June, September, December | 7 May, 7 August, 7 November, 7 February |
| Quarterly, stagger 2 | April, July, October, January | 7 June, 7 September, 7 December, 7 March |
| Quarterly, stagger 3 | May, August, November, February | 7 July, 7 October, 7 January, 7 April |
| Monthly | Every month | The 7th of the second month after |
| Annual Accounting Scheme | Your accounting year end | 2 months after the year end, with advance payments during the year |
Your exact periods are set by HMRC. They are shown in your VAT online account, and in your MTD software once it is connected.
When payments must reach HMRC
- Online by card or bank approval: accepted on the date you pay, even at weekends.
- Faster Payments: usually the same or next day.
- Bacs: allow 3 working days.
- Direct Debit: collected 3 working days after the deadline, if set up at least 3 working days before you submit.
For a deadline-week plan, see filing and paying in deadline week.
What happens if you miss a deadline
- Late returns: each earns a penalty point. At the threshold, 2 points for annual, 4 for quarterly and 5 for monthly filers, you pay £200, and £200 for each further late return. Nil returns count too.
- Resetting points at the threshold: you need a period of compliance, 24 months for annual, 12 for quarterly and 6 for monthly filers, with all returns due in the previous 24 months submitted.
- Late payments: no penalty within 15 days. After that, 3% of what was unpaid at day 15, another 3% at day 30, then 10% a year from day 31. Interest is charged on top.
Work out your own figures with the VAT penalty calculator.
How to never miss a VAT deadline
- Know your dates: list every deadline for the year, and put them in your calendar.
- Get reminders: Swift VAT Pro emails you 4 days and 3 days before each due date.
- Keep records up to date during the period, so the return takes minutes.
- Submit a few days early, and keep HMRC's receipt.
- Set up a Direct Debit, or pay by a method that arrives in time.
Reminders before every VAT deadline, from £5 a month
Swift VAT Pro reads your periods from HMRC and emails you 4 days and 3 days before each due date, then files from your spreadsheet.
- 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
Every VAT deadline follows one rule: 1 month and 7 days after the period ends. Know your periods, set reminders, and file a few days early, and penalty points stay at zero.
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 GOV.UK VAT return deadlines, HMRC penalty points and late payment penalty guidance, and Pay your VAT bill. November 2026.
When is my VAT return due?
When are quarterly VAT returns due?
When is an annual accounting VAT return due?
What happens if I miss a VAT deadline?
How do I reset VAT penalty points?
Reminders before every VAT deadline, 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