Where do I find the VAT return?
Go to Accounting → VAT return. You'll find VAT return at the bottom of the left-hand menu, under the Submissions section. Select the correct period with the period picker at the top (e.g. "3rd Period 2026"). The main return for the period is shown with the status Not created until you create it.
Requirements for creating one
To be able to create a VAT return:
The company must be VAT registered (turn this on under Administration → Accounting → General → TAX settings with the The organization is VAT registered toggle).
The correct VAT period must be set in the same place (e.g. 2 months).
The vouchers for the period must be posted, so that there is a VAT basis.
How to create and submit
Go to Accounting → VAT return and select the period.
Check the figures in the statement (code, description, rate, basis, calculated tax). At the bottom you'll see the Amount to receive or to pay.
Click Create in the action list on the right. The status changes from Not created to Created.
Click Submit VAT report to Altinn to submit.
Retrieve the Receipt when the submission is confirmed, and see the amount under Payment.
You can also download the statement with the Export button at the top.
"I click Create, but nothing happens"
This is almost always a delay in the display – the return is usually created even if the status doesn't change right away. Refresh the web page (reload the page), and the correct status will be shown. We're working on making this automatic.
If the status still shows Not created after refreshing: check that there are posted vouchers with VAT in the period, and that the correct period is selected.
Vouchers posted after the return has been submitted
If you post a voucher in a period where the VAT return has already been submitted, the amount won't be included automatically in the submitted return. You have two options:
Include it in the next period: If the discrepancy is small and within the rules, the voucher is posted as usual and is captured in a later VAT return.
Correct the period: Submit a corrected VAT return for the period in question (see below).
Note: If the accounting period is locked, it must be opened before you can post vouchers in it. Period locking is managed under Administration → Accounting → General, in the Lock accounting period section (the Up to date field with the Change button).
Correcting a submitted VAT return
If you need to change a VAT return that has already been sent to Altinn, you submit a corrected return for the same period: open the period under Accounting → VAT return, make the necessary changes in the accounts (post/correct vouchers), create the return again and send it to Altinn. The new submission replaces the previous one for the period.
If you're unsure whether to correct or take the discrepancy in the next period, contact us – an incorrect correction can create a discrepancy against Altinn.
Custom VAT Codes (partial VAT deduction)
If only some invoices should have a Custom Vat Codes (partial VAT deduction), you create a separate VAT code in addition to the standard codes:
Go to Administration → Accounting → Custom Vat Codes.
Click New VAT code.
Fill in the New VAT code window:
Name – e.g. "Proportional 50%".
Description (optional).
Share – how large a share is deductible (e.g. 50).
VAT code – the standard code the deduction applies to (e.g. code 1, purchase at high rate).
Click Create VAT code. The code now appears as a separate option when posting, in addition to the usual codes.
You continue to use the regular VAT code on everything else – the custom code is used only on the vouchers that should have a proportional deduction.
Why is there an "odd" percentage in the Percentage column?
The percentage shown in the Percentage column in the list (e.g. 2.25% or 11.11%) is not the share you chose, but the effective VAT rate the system calculates from the basis percentage. This is correct and ensures that VAT is calculated correctly when posting, where you enter the full amount including VAT.
When should you contact us?
Contact us in the chat if the return can't be created after you've refreshed the page and checked the vouchers/period, or if you're unsure about correcting. Provide the client, period and what happens when you try.