If you’re struggling to submit a VAT return when using Sage and Internet Explorer we appreciate that you might be getting very frustrated! Don’t worry, we have the answers to help you resolve this issue and submit your VAT return.
But first, why is this happening?
The HMRC performed a security update to their service on the 1st November 2023. This has resulted in its system no longer supporting products that are using Internet Explorer to connect and the following Windows Operating Systems:
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- Windows 7
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- Windows 8
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- Windows 8.1
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- Windows Server 2008 R2
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- Windows Server 2012
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- Windows Server2012 R2.
How do I know if I will be affected?
If you are using Sage 50 or Sage 200 Professional then you may encounter the following message ‘This page cannot be displayed’. This will appear when you attempt to log in and submit a VAT return to the HMRC.
If you’re not seeing that error then Sage has advised that the following Sage versions are affected: Sage 200 versions from Professional Spring 2018 up to and including Professional 2021 R1. Sage 50 is also affected with versions 28.0 and below experiencing this error.
How can I solve this issue and submit my VAT return?
If you are using the above versions of Sage 200 Professional then there are three ways to resolve this issue:
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- Use a supported version of Microsoft Windows (Windows 10 / Windows Server 2016 or above).
- Upgrade Sage 200 to version 2022 R1 or above.
- Use the Sage MTD for VAT Module, this is only recommended as a temporary workaround.
And if you’re using Sage 50 then a software update will be required.
We appreciate that the above might be a bit technical. If that’s the case, or you are unsure if you are affected, then please get in touch with your EBS Account Manager and we’ll be happy to help.
