Guide: Impact of HMRC Service Changes on VAT Submissions
3 min read
Overview of HMRC Service Change
As of recent, HMRC has implemented changes that will affect your ability to submit VAT Returns using Sage 50, Sage 200, Pegasus Opera 3 and Exchequer systems. These changes are particularly crucial for users operating on older Windows Operating Systems (OS). The new configuration will prevent connections to the HMRC gateway, which is essential for VAT submissions, from the following outdated OS:
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
- Windows 8.1
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2012 R2
It is imperative that you assess your current operating environment to avoid disruption in your VAT submission process.
Identifying If You Are Affected
You may be impacted by this change if your VAT submission process runs on any of the aforementioned Windows OS. Specifically, if you are submitting your VAT returns and running Pegasus on a server operating on the Operating systems highlighted, you will begin to encounter the below error which will prevent the VAT submission from running.
To confirm whether you are affected, it is recommended that you consult with your IT department and verify the current OS on which your VAT submission systems are operating so action can be taken.
Steps to Take If Impacted
Should your system be identified as running on an unsupported OS, the following actions are necessary to ensure continuous compliance with VAT submission requirements:
- Upgrade Your Operating System: Transition to a supported version of Windows. For Sage 200, Opera 3 and Exchequer, consider upgrading to Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022 or Windows 10/11 as these are currently supported.
- Update Your Software: Ensure that you are running the latest versions of Sage 200 or Pegasus Opera 3 that are compatible with your new OS. For instance, Pegasus Opera 3 (version 2.97.00) and later are tested and supported on Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11.
- Note for Those on The Latest Version of Sage 200: If you are not impacted by the above change due to being on a more recent version of Sage 200, you may still find you have issues submitting, as Sage will have highlighted the above versions based on their compatibility matrix. All of the above versions of operating system are not supported on Sage 200 releases 2023 R1 onwards. If you have environments running the above versions of Windows OS, we would recommend reviewing this and look to move onto a supported operating system when possible.
Additional Steps for Compliance
Even if you are currently not affected due to using a more recent OS, it is advisable to:
- Regularly review your OS and software versions: Keep your systems updated to align with compatibility matrices published by Sage and Pegasus.
- Plan for future upgrades: Ensure your systems remain within the supported lifecycles to avoid last-minute disruptions.
Further Info
Pegasus Users: can find more information on software requirements here.
Sage 50/Sage 50 Payroll Users: can find more information on how to resolve here.
info@thehbpgroup.co.uk
01482 423910
