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VAT Direct
Birmingham, United Kingdom
What it is
VAT Direct provides software for VAT and Self Assessment returns and VAT information through the Exedra platform. Businesses can submit VAT return data from CSV files generated by spreadsheets or other systems, without replacing their existing accounting system for that task. Its online cashbook stores VAT and Self Assessment records and supports cash-basis or standard VAT accounting. It covers Flat Rate, retail and margin schemes, traditional VAT, EC VAT, and the Domestic Reverse Charge, and tracks CIS payments. Open Banking can load statements from multiple bank, cash, and credit-card accounts into the cashbook. An API can provide bank statement and HMRC tax information after users log in and obtain an authorisation token. The free digital-record service for smaller businesses is limited to 500 transactions per period and requires cash-basis accounts. The Basic service is free; premium services include some Open Banking, Making Tax Digital, and other services, with details available from the provider. VAT Direct says data is processed in the UK and offers optional text-message or similar two-factor authentication. Its cashbook does not currently handle FRC Taxonomies.
For and against
For
- Accepts VAT return data in spreadsheet-generated CSV files.
- Cashbook supports cash-basis and standard VAT accounting.
- Open Banking can load statements from multiple account types.
- Basic service is free.
- API can provide bank statement and HMRC tax information.
Against
- Free digital records are capped at 500 transactions per period.
- The free digital-record service requires cash-basis accounts.
- Cashbook does not currently handle FRC Taxonomies.
- Premium service details require contacting the provider.
The verdict
VAT Direct offers a cashbook, return-submission options, and access to bank and HMRC information through its API. Check the transaction cap, accounting-basis requirement, and FRC Taxonomies limitation against your needs.
Who it suits
VAT Direct may suit businesses filing VAT or Self Assessment returns that want to submit spreadsheet-generated CSV data or keep records in an online cashbook. The free digital-record service is limited to smaller businesses using cash-basis accounts and making no more than 500 transactions per period.
Plans and prices
Basic service
VAT and Income Tax Self Assessment bridging · digital records below VAT threshold · maximum 500 transactions per period · cash-basis accounts
Read 15 Oct 2026 · vat.direct
Premium services
Open Banking, Making Tax Digital and other add-ons · tailored servers · consolidated subsidiary balances
Read 15 Oct 2026 · vat.direct
On the record
- Accounting basis
- Free digital records require cash-basis accounts, while the cashbook also supports standard VAT accounting.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- API access
- The API can provide bank statement information and HMRC tax information; users obtain an authorisation token after logging in.vat.direct · read 2 Oct 2026
- API authorization
- API users obtain an authorization token after logging in and selecting a legal entity.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- API tooling
- Documentation directs developers to copy a Swagger/OpenAPI definition into Swagger Editor or Postman for testing.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- Browser requirement
- Account creation works best with Chrome; the page warns that Edge can be unreliable.newaccounts.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cashbook transaction limit
- The free digital-record service is intended for businesses below the VAT threshold and allows up to 500 transactions per period.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cloud cashbook
- The online cashbook stores VAT and Self Assessment records and links them to Making Tax Digital.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company
- The maker identifies Cirrostratus Exedra Ltd, trading as Cirrostratus, as the data controller and processor, at 78 Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8BB.vat.direct · read 2 Oct 2026
- Company activity
- The company’s SIC classification is computer facilities management activities.find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company founding
- Companies House records Cirrostratus Exedra Ltd as incorporated on 28 August 2018.find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk · read 2 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- Companies House lists the registered office at 78 Alcester Road, Birmingham, B13 8BB, United Kingdom.find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company incorporation
- Companies House records Cirrostratus Exedra Ltd as an active private company incorporated on 28 August 2018.find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Construction reverse charge
- The cashbook supports Domestic Reverse Charge VAT for construction and tracks CIS payments.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- CSV mapping
- CSV files use BOX1 through BOX9 codes, with PERIODEND and VRNVERIFY available for validation.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- Data residency
- The privacy notice says all data is processed in the UK.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The cashbook help page says only limited information has been written and that more answers may be added later.vat.direct · read 15 Oct 2026
- Founder background
- In parliamentary evidence, John Hemming said he created Cirrostratus Exedra as a provider of Making Tax Digital software after earlier technology businesses.committees.parliament.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- HMRC authority duration
- HMRC guidance states that software authority to access VAT data lasts 18 months.gov.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
