DataFlow is Making Tax Digital software for VAT. The nine-box VAT 100 is built from your VAT records and filed straight to HMRC through the MTD API — no bridging spreadsheet, no re-keying, and a receipt kept for audit.
The nine-box VAT 100 filed straight to HMRC
Digital records kept end to end, no bridging spreadsheet
Making Tax Digital asks for an unbroken digital trail. A spreadsheet in the middle breaks that trail and adds work every quarter.
Bridging spreadsheets in the way
Figures are copied into a spreadsheet and pushed to HMRC through a bridging tool, so the digital link is only as reliable as the last manual step.
Reconciling VAT by hand
The nine boxes are totalled from separate reports and checked line by line, so a single miskeyed figure can carry through to the return.
Deadline pressure every quarter
The return is rebuilt from scratch each period against a fixed HMRC deadline, so the days before filing are the busiest and the most error-prone.
The HMRC link fails at filing
Authorisation to HMRC quietly lapses or a bridging tool loses its connection, and you only discover the digital link is broken in the last hour before the deadline.
Overview
One VAT record, filed to HMRC.
Your VAT is kept digitally as you trade, then submitted through the MTD API.
The nine-box VAT 100 filed straight to HMRC
Nine boxes totalled from your posted VAT records. Filed through the Making Tax Digital API with a stored receipt.
Nine-boxVAT 100 from your records
HMRCfiled through the MTD API
Built from the VAT module, not a bridging spreadsheet
VAT captured as documents are posted, not re-keyed later. No spreadsheet sitting between your books and HMRC.
Digitalrecords kept end to end
Nobridging spreadsheet
OAuth credentials, connectivity test and retained receipt
OAuth credentials authorise DataFlow to file on your behalf. A connectivity test confirms the link before the deadline.
OAuthauthorised with HMRC
Testedconnectivity before filing
Part of a full accounting system on one database
VAT, ledgers and order processing share one database. The VAT return reconciles against the nominal before you file.
Yes. DataFlow keeps your VAT records digitally and files the nine-box VAT 100 straight to HMRC through the Making Tax Digital API, with the submission receipt retained for audit.
Do I need a bridging spreadsheet?
No. The VAT return is built from the VAT module inside DataFlow, so there is no spreadsheet between your books and HMRC and the digital record stays unbroken from posting to filing.
Does this cover income tax or corporation tax?
No. Making Tax Digital in DataFlow is VAT-only. Income tax and corporation tax are out of scope, and EC Sales Lists and Intrastat, where they apply, are separate submissions from the VAT 100.
How does DataFlow connect to HMRC?
You authorise DataFlow with HMRC using OAuth credentials and run a connectivity test to confirm the link before you file. The submission receipt is then stored against the period.
