NJT VAT Return Manager (MTD)

(Bridging software for online filing of the MTD compliant VAT Returns to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs)

How to Install on a Server & Configure Excel


The bridging software can be stored on a File Server on you computer network. You can either Map a drive to the folder located on your server or access it directly using the 'Universal Naming Convention' (UNC).
For example: 'Z:\My VAT Returns\' or '\\MyServer\My VAT Returns\'


Compatibility

The software is compatible with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Excel.
The software is Not compatible with Apple Mac Computers, OpenOffice or LibreOffice.


Minimum System Requirements

Microsoft Windows: Windows 7 onwards. Both Windows '32-bit' and '64-bit' versions are supported.
Note: All 'Important' Windows & Microsoft Updates should be installed, particularly for Excel 2007, 2010 & 2013.
The most effective way to do this is to configure your computer to install 'Windows' Updates automatically and to tick the 'Microsoft' options box.
For Windows 7 & 8, Open Windows 'Control Panel', click on 'Windows Update', then 'Change Settings' & then turn-on 'Give me updates for Microsoft products ...'.
For Windows 10, Open Windows 'Settings' app, then click on 'Windows Settings', then 'Update & Security', then 'Advanced Options' & then turn-on 'Give me updates for other Microsoft products ...'.

Web Browser: Since the version 2.0 release, it is no longer compulsory to use the Microsoft Internet Explorer. The bridging software now automatically launches your default Web Browser when required.

Microsoft Excel: Excel 2007 (service pack 3), Excel 2010 (service pack 2) and Excel 2013 (service pack 1) onwards.
Note: Now supports both '32-bit' and '64-bit' versions of Microsoft Excel.

Plus a reliable internet connection.


Microsoft 'End of Support' Dates

When Microsoft products reach their 'End of Support' dates, they are no longer supported and do not receive security updates. It is therefore recommended that you upgrade to later products before these dates.

10th October 2017 - Excel/Office 2007

14th January 2020 - Windows 7

13th October 2020 - Excel/Office 2010


Important Note for Excel 2007, 2010 & 2013 users

Early releases of Excel 2007, 2010 & 2013 contained serious errors and security issues. Some of these errors may not be encountered during normal use. However, the bridging software uses certain advanced features of Excel, which will trigger these errors. Consequently, all 'Important' Windows & Microsoft updates should be installed as described above.


Important Note for DropBox users

There is an outstanding defect in DropBox that affects certain installations of Microsoft Excel.

Symptom
Within the NJT software, when you click on the 'Save & Close' button, you are prompted to 'Enter a Password' and Excel freezes.

Solution
Within DropBox:

  1. Click on the 'Gear' icon.
  2. Then select 'Preferences'.
  3. Change the 'DropBox Badge' setting to 'Never Show'.
  4. Click 'Apply'.
  5. Click 'OK'.


How to Install
  1. Create New Folder
    Create a new folder on your File Server. For example, "Z:\My VAT Returns" or '\\MyServer\My VAT Returns\'.

    Tip: You may wish to create a shortcut on your Windows Desktop, which points to this folder. Note: The actual file name of the software will change when subsequent versions are released, so the shortcut needs to point to the Folder and not the file.

  2. Change Excel Configuration (Options/Trust Centre)
    Microsoft has taken a much tighter approach to software security. As a result of this, some Excel features are disabled during initial installation. In order for the VAT Return Manager to function correctly, a few changes are required within the Excel Options.
    Open a blank workbook in Excel. (For recent versions of Excel, Click on 'File' menu, then 'Options', then 'Trust Centre' then click on 'Trust Centre Settings').
    Note: For Office 2007, Click on the 'Office' button as the 'File' menu does not exist.
    1. Trusted Locations: Add the 'Location' of the folder where you saved the workbook,
      (For example, "Z:\My VAT Returns"). Also tick the box 'Subfolders'.
    2. Macro Settings: Tick the box 'Trust Access to the VBA project model'.
    3. Then, click on the 'OK' button.
    4. Finally, Exit Excel.

  3. Download Software to Folder
    Download the 'NJT VAT Return Manager (MTD)', then (move or save) it to the folder you have just created.

    Click on the button to download the MTD VAT Return Manager (Live evaluation).

    (For further information on purchasing, see the 'Software Purchase & Renewal' section via the menu item 'VAT Return Manager (MTD)'.

    Note 1: The download process may vary depending upon which Interent browser you use and the browser's configuration.
    Note 2: It is recommended that you store the workbook within it's own folder as certain sub folders are automatically created when it is opened.

    Important Note:
      Under certain circumstances the software file may remain 'Blocked' or 'Read-only':
    1. Open File explorer or Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the software.
    2. Right click on the software file then click on 'Properties'.
    3. Remove the tick in the 'Read-Only' box where necessary.
    4. Unblock the file by clicking on the 'Unblock' button or 'Unblock' Tick box where necessary.
    5. Click 'OK'

  4. Open Software
    Finally, Open the 'NJT VAT Return Manager (MTD)' and follow the on-screen instructions.

  5. Free Remote Support from NJT
    If you are having difficulties installing the software, then you can contact NJT and arrange for assistance via the 'Remote log-in' service.
    1. Contact NJT and arrange a time.
    2. [Click Here] to download the 'Splash Top' SOS software.
    3. Run the software, then telephone NJT and give the 9-digit code when requested.
    4. NJT will then remotely access your computer.
    5. When the remote access session is complete, disconnect then exit the software.


Introduction

The bridging software can be stored on a File Server on you computer network. You can either Map a drive to the folder located on your server or access it directly using the 'Universal Naming Convention' (UNC).
For example: 'Z:\My VAT Returns\' or '\\MyServer\My VAT Returns\'

The software within the Excel workbook, is a 'Single User' application. This means it can be opened for editing by only One User at any one time.
However, when an attempt is made to open the workbook that is already being used by another User, it can be opened in 'Read Only' or 'Notify' mode. Whilst opened in 'Read Only' or 'Notify' mode, the User can view and navigate as normal, however, all updating functions are disabled.



MTD File in Use Image
Option 1: Open in 'Read Only' Mode

Whilst in 'Read Only' mode, You can use the software to navigate, search, print, save as PDF, and display payments and liabilities.

When complete, click on the 'Close' button on the Dashboard.


Option 2: Open in 'Notify' Mode

Whilst in 'Notify' mode, You can use the software to navigate, search, print, save as PDF, and display payments and liabilities.

When the User, editing the software, saves and closes the workbook, the 'File Now Available' message will be displayed and you will be prompted to re-open the workbook in 'Read-Write' mode or 'Cancel'.


MTD File Available Image

If you click on the 'Read-Write' button, the 'File Changed' message will be displayed.

If you click on the 'Cancel' button, you can close the workbook, via the 'Close' button.


MTD File Changed Image

Always click on the 'Discard' button. (See Important Note below).

The workbook will be re-opened and you can then continue as normal.


Important Note

When you open the workbook in 'Notify' mode, the software automatically refreshes certain information within the workbook. Although this does not affect your data, Excel thinks the workbook has changed. Hence the 'File Changed' message.

Therefore you always click on the 'Discard' button.



Files created by this product are organised using a preset folder structure. Sub folders are created automatically within the folder where the workbook is located. It is recommended that the VAT Return workbook is stored in a specific folder. For example, "C:\My MTD VAT Returns".

Archive Folder: The sub folder "\Archive" is automatically created when you first use the software. After you have updated to a new version, this may be a convenient location to store your previous version. This may avoid confusion as to which is your latest version.

Receipt Files: When a draft or finalised VAT Return is saved as a PDF file it is stored, by default, to the sub folder "\Receipts". However, For each Taxpayer, the folder location can be changed, essentially allowing you to store the PDF receipts in any accessible location. Once changed, the new folder location becomes the default for that Taxpayer.

Evidence Files: During each VAT Return submission, copies of the full submission and HMRC response are saved to the sub folder "\Evidence". These files are stored in Text and JSON format and can be viewed using a 'Text' editor such as NotePad or WordPad.

Data Backup Folder: Each backup created by the 'Backup Data' routine is stored in the sub folder "\Backup".

Import Folder: When you Import a VAT Return from, for example an Excel workbook, the routine first searches in the sub folder 'Import'. This may be a convenient location to store the files. However, For each Taxpayer, the file folder location is saved automatically after each import, therefore you can essentially store the files in any accessible location. This folder location then becomes the default for future imports.

Bin Folder: The sub folder "\Bin" is used to store technical log files created by the software. These log files may assist in the resolution of technical issues that may occur during the use of the software.