Can any accountants answer a quick VAT question...?

[cakeaddict]

I'm having difficulties with my first VAT return.

I use Xero so my accounts are all up to date and it should be straightforward. I can pull off the figures I need from the accounting system - and I'm 95% certain that I know what I'm doing. However, because it's the first return I know I can claim back VAT for the previous 6 months before registration.

My question is - if I mess up and get this wrong (basically, if I over-claim on my expenses) - is it something that an accountant could correct without penalty on the next return, or am I going to get myself into all sorts of trouble with HMRC?

I'm only dealing with hundreds rather than £000's. It's my first VAT return, I'm on cash accounting system, and due to the dates the invoices were paid I don't actually need to pay anything back to HMRC this quarter.

Yes, you can correct errors, as long as they were not due to carelessness or made deliberately. There's some info about it here.

Thanks Sammy - I got it sorted in the end and decided to err on the side of caution in what I claimed back, until I get a new accountant.

PS
the limit for VAT on assets still in use by the business is 4 years
www.gov.uk/vat-registration/purchases-made-before-registration