Understanding What’s Included in Your hellotax VAT Service in the United Kingdom

At hellotax, our goal is to make UK VAT compliance simple, automated, and cost-effective for e-commerce sellers.

We operate as a software-driven VAT compliance provider, not a traditional accounting firm. This means your VAT filings are handled through structured automation and validation systems — ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and transparent pricing without unnecessary add-ons.

This article explains exactly what your UK VAT filing includes, how your data is handled, and what is (and is not) covered under your subscription.

✅ What’s Included in Your UK VAT Filing

Your subscription covers the standard VAT filing services required to maintain compliance with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

1️⃣ Preparation of Your UK VAT Return

We collect and process all transaction data that you upload or integrate into your hellotax account, including:

• Marketplace sales (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
• Webshop sales
• Returns, refunds and cancellations
• Imports and exports
• Relevant stock movements and warehouse transfers

Your figures are:

• Validated
• Calculated according to UK VAT rules
• Structured for the UK VAT Return

2️⃣ Submission of Your VAT Return to HMRC

Once your data has been validated:

• We submit your VAT return electronically to HMRC
• We monitor filing status
• We ensure filing deadlines are respected
• We notify you once submission is complete

All submitted returns are securely stored in your hellotax account for full transparency and future reference.

3️⃣ Cross-Border Transaction Reporting

The UK is not part of the EU VAT system and does not participate in the EU OSS scheme.

UK VAT reporting may nevertheless involve cross-border transactions, including:

• Imports into the UK
• Exports from the UK
• Sales involving overseas customers
• Marketplace transactions
• Applicable reverse charge transactions

Your transaction data is processed according to the relevant UK VAT treatment.

Please note: EU OSS reporting is separate from UK VAT reporting and is not included as part of a UK VAT return.

4️⃣ Intrastat – Where Applicable

Following the UK's departure from the EU, Intrastat requirements are different from those applying within EU Member States.

Where a separate statistical reporting obligation applies, this is not included in the standard UK VAT filing subscription.

If additional reporting is required outside the standard VAT filing service, your Account Manager can advise you accordingly.

5️⃣ Correct Application of UK VAT Rates

Our system applies the appropriate VAT treatment based on your transaction data, including:

• Standard rate
• Reduced rate
• Zero-rated transactions where applicable
• Import and export VAT treatment
• Reverse charge mechanisms where applicable

EU OSS is not part of the UK VAT return.

6️⃣ Secure, Audit-Ready Record Keeping

Your hellotax account stores:

• Submitted VAT returns
• Confirmation receipts
• Uploaded HMRC correspondence
• Filing history by period

This creates a clear compliance trail in case of HMRC queries, compliance checks or audits.

⚠️ What Is Not Included in the Standard VAT Filing

Your subscription does not include:

• Responding to HMRC audits or complex investigations
• Custom advisory or tax planning
• Manual bookkeeping corrections outside the software scope
• Separate statistical reporting where applicable
• Structural company changes reporting
• EU OSS filings as part of the UK VAT service

These services may be available separately where applicable.

📌 Your Responsibilities as a Client

To ensure accurate and compliant filings, you must:

• Upload complete and accurate transaction data
• Respect the data upload deadline (usually by the 4th of the following month)
• Inform hellotax of changes to your business
• Ensure VAT payments to HMRC are made correctly and on time

Incomplete or late data can result in incorrect filings, penalties, or interest charges imposed by HMRC.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• ✔️ Your UK VAT return preparation and submission are included
• ✔️ Relevant UK VAT treatment is applied to your transaction data
• ✔️ Cross-border transactions are treated according to applicable UK VAT rules
• ✔️ All filings are stored for audit purposes
• ❌ EU OSS is not part of UK VAT reporting

But remember:

• 📌 You must upload complete data on time
• 📌 You remain legally responsible for the accuracy of your business information
• 📌 Additional advisory or correction work falls outside the standard subscription

If you ever feel unsure about what your filing covers, your hellotax Account Manager is happy to clarify.

Our goal is simple: clear compliance, no surprises, and smooth VAT management in the United Kingdom.