UK VAT making tax digital API

[Lupin]

I hope posting to correct forum.
Resent (BADLY planned) changes to UK VAT system mean we now need to use API to submit VAT tax figures. Seen new plug in for "Microsoft Excel 2013, 2016, 2019 for Windows, Excel 2016, 2019 for Mac, Office 365, Office Online and Excel for the iPad." available. I use simple double entry book keeping on OpenOffice and maybe forced to change.
Does OpenOffice have similar plug in available?

[robleyd]

Try your luck on the OpenOffice Extensions site: a quick search on UK VAT and Tax didn't find anything - you may have more success with an in depth search.

[keme]

Checked the revenue service page about working software.
There seems to be a few free (e.g. Portico) and reasonably priced (e.g. 123sheets) solutions.
When someone offers stuff for free, you should ask yourself "why?". Read the user agreement carefully.

Some providers claim to cater for "any business with spreadsheet-based accounting", whereas the download page clearly states that "this will only work in MS Excel/Windows". So there!
Mind you, I didn't check all the listed entries.

Strange that there is no provision for submitting online by forms designed like old-school paper forms, but that's the situation it seems.

[Lupin]

Original system was simple. Secure web page on revenue web site with boxes you just filled in. But part of the change is revenue does not liked re-keyed data and wants submition digital.
With re-keying in mind new system does seem to be any better, example here of Excel plug-in (https://vitaltax.uk). Which shows plug-in used with normal spreadsheet and told which cells to use for data. Which means anything can be keyed into previous cells (Dumb).

Sadly as I have already said new system badly planned, not allowing for small business owners or tax payers without regular access to Internet (e.g. farmers).

[keme]

...
not allowing for small business owners or tax payers without regular access to Internet (e.g. farmers).

... er... well ... there seems to be a loophole. You can apply for exemption for various reasons. Among those are:

• Where you live, (may apply to your mention of farmers).
• Not using the internet for religious reasons. (you could always state such religious beliefs, but then you may need to cover your tracks toward this place.)

Good luck!

[JasperLeonson]

I hope posting to correct forum.
Resent (BADLY planned) changes to UK VAT system mean we now need to use API to submit VAT tax figures. Seen new plug in for "Microsoft Excel 2013, 2016, 2019 for Windows, Excel 2016, 2019 for Mac, Office 365, Office Online and Excel for the iPad." available. I use simple double entry book keeping on OpenOffice and maybe forced to change
Does OpenOffice have similar plug in available?

Thanks for all the helpful replies.... I have same issue, using OpenOffice and not keen on switching to Excel just for VAT submissions. It’s frustrating that HMRC didn’t provide any open-format options. The exemption route sounds useful, but I’d still prefer a proper workaround.... Anyone managed MTD using open office?

[mark-morales]

Same here for me too.. I have been using Open Office for years and it does the job just fine. It is a bit frustrating that HMRC only seems to support Excel and paid software. If anyone managed MTD with OpenOffice or found a simple workaround, I would really like to know too.....

[Lupp]

... frustrating that HMRC only seems to support Excel and paid software. If anyone ...

No idea about HM's tax concpets or British ideas concerning "digitalisation", but ...
The version of OpenOffice shown in your signature is very old.
If support of Excel-compatible features is essential, you should try a recent LibreOffice.