A pre-VAT Return check means reviewing bills for wrong VAT codes, missing VAT invoices and suppliers without a valid VAT number before you reclaim VAT. Under Making Tax Digital the return is sent from software.
Before you start
- Sage 200 Nominal Ledger with Purchase and Sales Ledger
- A valid UK VAT registration number in company details to submit online
The Sage 200 way
Where to find it: Period End Routines > VAT Analysis > Current Period Return; Purchase Ledger > Reports > Vatable Transactions
- Before the final VAT Return, print VAT Return Transactions - Codes Included in the VAT Return (Period End Routines > VAT Analysis > Current Period Return).
- Print Purchase Ledger > Reports > Vatable Transactions, Sales Ledger > Reports > Vatable Transactions and Nominal Ledger > Reports > Account Analysis > Non-trading Vatable Transactions for the same dates.
- Add the three Vatable Transactions reports. Their totals should equal the input and output totals on the VAT Return Transactions report.
- If they differ check the report date range and the Codes Not Included in the VAT Return report, then check transactions by hand.
- Correct any wrong VAT rate on a posted transaction, then print the reports again.
- Produce the final VAT Return. You can submit it online to HMRC from Sage 200, which is compliant with Making Tax Digital. You can adjust the box totals before you submit.
Limits in Sage 200
- No automatic exception list of wrongly coded lines was found. The check is by comparing reports.
- The final VAT Return can only be produced once for a period and cannot be reversed.
- The Sage 200 VAT Analysis routine does not support cash accounting.
Good to know in Sage 200
- To submit online the country code must be UK and the base currency must be Sterling. The UK VAT registration number goes in company details in Accounting System Manager.
- Once the return is produced, each transaction is marked as reconciled and cannot go on a later return.
- Rates not ticked for the VAT Return post to the Non-Trading Vatable Transactions report, so outside-scope items are not lost.
The Pulsify way
- Forward bills to Pulsify through the period.
- Pulsify sets a tax code on each line from the VAT rate printed on that line.
- Pulsify flags a supplier VAT number that is missing or differs from the supplier record.
- Review flags before approval, so fewer errors reach Sage 200.
Pulsify connects to Sage 200. We set up the connection for you.
What Pulsify does not do here
- Pulsify does not prepare or send your VAT Return.
- It does not check bills already in Sage 200.
Common mistakes
- Producing the final VAT Return before the reports agree. It can only be produced once for a period and cannot be reversed.
- Using different date ranges on the three Vatable Transactions reports.
More help
- How to check GST coding on purchase invoice records in Business Central before you lodge your BAS
- How to check GST coding on bill records in MYOB Acumatica before you lodge your BAS
- How to check GST coding on vendor invoice records in Sage 300 before you lodge your BAS
- How to check a supplier's VAT number in Sage 200
- How to close the month in accounts payable in Sage 200
- How to code a purchase invoice with mixed VAT rates in Sage 200
- All Sage 200 how-to guides
- Pulsify setup guides
Sources
Last checked 2026-10-19. Confidence: confirmed.
- desktophelp.sage.co.uk/sage200/professional/Content/NL/Reconciling_VAT_transactions.htm
- desktophelp.sage.co.uk/sage200/professional/Content/NL/Prepare_the_VAT_Return.htm
- desktophelp.sage.co.uk/sage200/professional/Content/NL/Online%20VAT.htm
- desktophelp.sage.co.uk/sage200/professional/Content/ASM/MaintainTaxRates.htm
Common questions
How do I check purchase VAT before the VAT Return in Sage 200?
Print VAT Return Transactions - Codes Included in the VAT Return. Then print the Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger and Nominal Ledger Vatable Transactions reports for the same dates and compare the totals.
What if the reports do not agree?
Check the date range on each report and the Codes Not Included in the VAT Return report. Then check transactions by hand. No automatic list of wrongly coded lines was found in the help.
Can I submit the VAT Return from Sage 200 under Making Tax Digital?
Yes. Sage 200 help says it is compliant with Making Tax Digital. Company details need a valid UK VAT number, the country code UK and base currency Sterling. You can adjust the box totals before you submit.
Pulsify setup guides
Want this done for you?
Book a call to see how Pulsify handles supplier bills in Sage 200.