đ Note: Access Digital Tax runs the same calculation as Dimensions â it reads data directly from Dimensions.
There are several reasons why the figures may differ:
Changes have been made in Dimensions since the VAT data was last refreshed in Access Digital Tax. Click Refresh in Access Digital Tax.
The VAT reporting method set in Dimensions System Control Options may cause a variation. A different date or period range may be used in Dimensions compared to the range sent by HMRC. If Dimensions calculates VAT by dates, confirm the dates in Dimensions match those requested by HMRC. Access Digital Tax always uses the correct dates. If Dimensions calculates VAT by periods, confirm the periods match your HMRC VAT account setup and that you have entered the correct period range.
The data shown in Dimensions is for different legal entities (VAT Groups or Sub Ledgers) to those selected in Access Digital Tax.
ADT periods use a date range and pick up transactions by invoice date (the tax date), not by the period they were posted into. When tax is submitted, transactions are marked in Dimensions. Any transactions posted after submission but within the submitted period are picked up on the next submission.
The last updated VAT return in Dimensions may not match what was last submitted to HMRC.
An older version of Access Connect may be in use, which has a known bug reading VAT return data. Update Access Connect if this is the case.
Additional checks
Confirm that ADT has updated Dimensions on the last submission to close that period. When ADT updates Dimensions it gives the VAT return a reference in the format ADT-DDMMYY (for example ADT-191022). If this was not written back on the last submission, ADT will not recognise that period as closed and may include both the current and previous month's figures.
Confirm the VAT return preview in Dimensions covers the same obligation dates or periods as required in Digital Tax for submission to HMRC.
In Dimensions, confirm the last updated VAT return matches the last submission to HMRC. If not, update the VAT return in Dimensions to match.
If Access Connect is already set up and you need to force-update Dimensions so the returns match what was submitted to HMRC, refer to these articles: - Submit a VAT Return in Dimensions after installing Access Connect - Submit your VAT Return in Dimensions following the install of Access Connect - VAT Return error: 'The application was unable to insert into the table SYS_TAX_AUDIT successfully' - Submitting a VAT Return in Dimensions following the install of Access Connect
đ Note: If further investigation is needed, contact support. See Get support in Dimensions.
If VAT is reported by periods, confirm the period dates align to reflect whole calendar months.
ADT reports against HMRC obligation date ranges and picks up transactions by invoice date, regardless of the posting period. For example, a transaction dated for October posted into the August period is picked up on the October return if not marked on a previous return.
Confirm transactions align with the correct period for their date. A transaction can appear on an earlier or later return depending on its date and the period it was posted to.
If your Dimensions database is configured to more than 2 decimal places, the VAT figures in Access Digital Tax may differ from those in Dimensions by a few pennies. Post a journal to make up the difference between the two systems.
IT checks
Confirm the versions of Dimensions and Access Connect.
Confirm the Access Connect Configuration Tool on the server has the correct database connection details. Use the SA user for connection authentication.
Confirm the Access Connect Service logs on as a Domain Administrator with full admin permissions over the network and SQL database (this is a software requirement).
đ Note: To change the user running the service, stop the service first. Save and apply the change, then start the service. Do not use the Restart option.
If further assistance is needed, contact support. See Get support in Access Digital Tax.