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Generate VAT Return

Create your VAT return with a single click using your imported transactions. The system calculates all L1-L31 DIR form fields from your reviewed and categorized transactions, ready for your final review before submission.

Prerequisites​

Before generating a return:

  • All transactions for the period are imported and their VAT categories have been reviewed
  • Categories have been reviewed for accuracy
  • No unresolved critical compliance alerts

Step-by-Step Guide​

Step 1: Select Period​

  1. Go to VAT Returns
  2. Click Generate New Return or select a period
  3. Choose the return period (month or quarter based on your filing frequency)
  4. Review the date range

Step 2: Review Summary​

The system displays:

  • Total sales by VAT category (Standard, Reduced, Zero-Rated, Exempt)
  • Total purchases with input VAT claimed
  • Calculated output VAT
  • Calculated input VAT
  • Net VAT position (payable or refundable)

Step 3: Validate​

CoralLedger Comply flags potential issues for your review, including:

  • Uncategorized transactions
  • Unusual patterns or anomalies
  • Missing documentation
  • Mathematical accuracy
  • Consistency with prior periods
Compliance Alerts

Address any compliance alerts before finalizing your return. Critical alerts will prevent submission.

Step 4: Generate Return​

  1. Review the final summary including all L1-L31 line items
  2. Click Generate Return
  3. The return is created in Draft status

Step 5: Export​

Download your return in multiple formats:

  • PDF — Human-readable summary for your records, in-person filings, and client presentations
  • XML — DIR-accepted submission format for upload via OTAS
  • Excel — Detailed analysis with calculated fields
  • Form 301 — The structured DIR-specific submission artifact

Transaction-level CSV exports (the underlying transactions, not the return itself) are available from the Transactions listing page.

Making Corrections​

Before Submission​

If you find errors in a Draft return:

  1. Correct the underlying transactions
  2. Delete the draft return
  3. Generate a new return

After Lodgement (Amendment)​

If errors are found after a return has been lodged:

  1. Navigate to the lodged return on the VAT Returns page.
  2. Click Amend — Comply creates a new return in the Amendment Draft state. The original lodged return is preserved unchanged for the audit trail.
  3. Make corrections to the affected line items.
  4. Submit the amendment through the same workflow — validation, Section 61 acknowledgement, signatory capture, artifact generation, and Record DIR Acknowledgement.
  5. When the amendment is lodged it follows the same lifecycle and ends at Lodged (or Lodged & Paid once paid). There is no separate "Amended" terminal state.

See VAT Returns Overview for the full state machine.

By Statute References​

Next Steps​