Bookkeepers + VAT Return: The Challenge
As bookkeeper, preparing bank statements for vat return is a common but time-consuming task. Quarterly VAT returns require matching bank transactions to sales and purchase invoices. Working from PDF statements adds unnecessary time to an already tight deadline.
How BankScan AI Helps Bookkeepers with VAT Return
BankScan AI handles every major UK bank format automatically. Upload the PDF, download the spreadsheet — no manual data entry needed. For vat return specifically, BankScan AI extracts VAT-inclusive sales and purchases, zero-rated transactions, exempt supplies, inp automatically.
How Bookkeepers Handle VAT Return
When preparing bank statements for vat return, bookkeepers need to Bookkeepers collect bank statements from clients weekly or monthly, categorise each transaction against the chart of accounts, reconcile balances, and. BankScan AI automates the data extraction step.
Key terms you'll encounter: chart of accounts, bank feed, transaction categorisation, month-end close.
How It Works
Upload bank statement PDFs
Supports all major banks. Upload 3 months per VAT quarter (standard scheme); 12 months for annual accounting scheme users of statements for vat return.
AI extracts what you need
Our AI extracts VAT-inclusive sales and purchases, zero-rated transactions, — formatted for bookkeepers workflows.
Complete your vat return work
Download Excel files ready for vat return. Transactions split into VAT-bearing and non-VAT categories, with net and VAT amounts separated; must reconcile to Box 6 (total sales) and Box 7 (total purchases)
Supported Banks
BankScan AI works with all major UK and US banks, including:
Features for Bookkeepers — VAT Return
- Built for Bookkeepers — Saves approximately 30 minutes per client per month on data entry, freeing up 8-10 hours per week for a bookkeeper with 20+ clients
- Software compatible — Output works directly with Xero, QuickBooks Online, FreeAgent
- Built for VAT Return — Convert bank statements to Excel to quickly identify VAT-bearing transactions, match against invoices, and prepare your VAT return accurately.
- Key data extracted — VAT-inclusive sales and purchases, zero-rated transactions, exempt supplies, input VAT on expenses, output VAT on sales, EC acquisitions, reverse charge transactions
Compliance: Bookkeepers + VAT Return
When bookkeepers prepare bank statements for vat return, specific compliance requirements apply.
- Bookkeepers operating under ICB or IAB membership must follow professional standards for data handling and client confidentiality. GDPR applies to all client financial data, and Making Tax Digital requires digital record-keeping for VAT-registered clients.
- Legal basis: Value Added Tax Act 1994; VAT Regulations 1995; Making Tax Digital for VAT regulations (The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2018)
VAT Return — Built for Bookkeepers
VAT returns due 1 month and 7 days after the end of the VAT quarter; late submission triggers a surcharge of up to 15% of VAT owed under the default surcharge regime
Try Free — Bookkeepers + VAT Return