In 2020, 52% of people voted for the UK to leave the European Union, and on 31 January, it became official. Every business owner knew what was next: changes, especially related to international trading and taxes.
This is how Making Tax Digital (MTD) and e-invoicing appear as something that is – even though not yet mandatory – necessary for smooth business activities.
To avoid penalties but to keep on growing, staying up to date with the latest requirements is essential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Here’s what UK SMEs need to know in 2025 and how automation can ease this new transition.
VAT Compliance in the UK: What’s New in 2025
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the government’s initiative to change the tax system by requiring digital record-keeping and online tax submissions. It’s intended for both businesses and individuals, having the goal of improving accuracy and reducing tax errors.
It’s important to keep in mind these points from the MTD:
- MTD has been mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses since April 2022, regardless of turnover.
- MTD requires MTD-compatible software, digital records, and digital links for filing.
- From January 2023, new penalties for late VAT filing and payments have been applied.
- Since March 2025, MTD aims to bring more small businesses onto a digital reporting system and penalty rules will be strengthened for late payment and filing.
Just like the regulations, the consequences of non-compliance are tough. Filing VAT returns without compatible software can cost you £400 per return. Not keeping digital records or failing to transfer data digitally can lead to fines between £5–£15 per day. If errors go unchecked due to skipped software checks, HMRC can reclaim the VAT and fine up to 100% of the amount owed.
The Growing Role of E-Invoicing
Electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) is the exchange of invoices between suppliers and customers in a digital format. The difference between traditional and electronic invoicing is that e-invoices have structured formats like XML and UBL and can be processed without human intervention.
Even though e-invoicing is not yet mandatory in the UK, it’s highly encouraged. For now, the National Health Service (NHS) is the only sector where e-invoices have become mandatory.
But the NHS might not be the only sector, though. The government is taking gradual steps towards mandating e-invoicing nationwide. A public consultation began in February 2025, and a formal proposal is expected in November. If it moves forward, e-invoicing might become mandatory for all sectors by 2030.
For now, e-invoicing remains a choice for SMEs. However, if your business trades internationally – especially in the EU – most clients expect you to use e-invoices. Since countries like France, Italy, and Germany are adopting mandatory e-invoicing regulations, UK SMEs may need to do the same.
Reading all this might get you thinking about changing your invoicing methods. Let’s see what challenges you could face if you choose to do this.
Challenges Faced by Small Businesses
With access to plenty of resources, larger companies can quickly adapt to changes. Unfortunately, for smaller businesses, things are a bit different. Many of them face practical challenges when it comes to digital tax compliance and e-invoicing, such as:
- Limited resources. SMEs often don’t have a dedicated team to handle the transition to digital systems.
- Manual processes. Many still use spreadsheets, paper invoices, or basic accounting tools that cannot integrate with MTD-compliant software.
- Data entry errors. Manual invoice or VAT processing leads to mistakes, compliance issues, and delayed payments.
- Tedious reporting. Quarterly reporting under MTD adds administrative pressure, especially for sole traders or small teams juggling multiple roles.
If you don’t tackle these challenges from the start, you and your team might feel stressed and confused. This is why you need reliable help: automation. By automating tax and invoicing workflows early, small businesses can stay ahead of compliance deadlines, reduce risk, and avoid delays in payments or submissions.
How Automation Eases VAT & Invoicing
Automated VAT and invoice processing is a total breakthrough for SMEs. Using software and digital workflows, invoices and VATs are handled with minimal human intervention.
Technologies like Artificial Intellignce (AI), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) can extract and process relevant data accurately and efficiently, being able to:
- Save time. Because automated tools have built-in formulas, there’s no need to calculate anything manually.
- Reduce human errors. Without manual data entry, risks are significantly reduced, meaning fewer corrected submissions or compliance issues.
- Eliminate penalties. Automated workflows help you meet VAT return and invoice payment deadlines.
- Simply global compliance. Operating across borders? Automation adjusts to local tax rules and invoicing formats, making international trade and compliance smoother.
For small businesses, the problem is not automating and digitlizing the VAT returns and e-invoicing processes. The real challenge is finding a solution that actually fits their day-to-day reality. Let’s see what the best features to look for are.
What to Look for in a VAT & E-Invoicing Solution
Not all automation solutions are the same. The best recommendation for an SME that wants to comply with the MTD and e-invoicing regulations is to find a tool that does more than just digitize documents. Here’s what to look for:
- Compatibility with MTD and e-invoicing standards. The software should fully support Making Tax Digital for VAT and allow for easy conversion of invoices into structured formats like UBL or XML.
- Integration with your existing systems. Look for a solution that seamlessly connects with your accounting or ERP. For example, an e-invoicing API can save hours by automatically forwarding validated invoice data where it needs to go.
- Customizable workflows and intelligent processing. With good software, you can build custom approval workflows, extract and classify invoice data accurately, flag anomalies for fraud detection, and support accounts payable and receivable processes.
- Cross-border and multi-language support. For businesses trading internationally, ensure the software can handle documents in various languages and formats. Global coverage enables you to process foreign invoices and tap into new markets.
Choosing the right e-invoicing software shouldn’t be too complicated. Look for something that fits your existing setup, handles the technical stuff for you, and lets you process invoices without second-guessing every step. With the right tools, you’ll get more things done with less stress and fewer surprises.
Conclusion
Let’s be honest – keeping up with tax rules and invoice formats isn’t exactly anyone’s favorite part of running a business. If you’re running a small business, you’re already wearing enough hats. You shouldn’t have to decode tax regulations or chase invoice formats on top of everything else.
2025 is finally the year to stop relying on outdated processes and start building something that actually works. Because the sooner you streamline how you handle VAT and invoicing, the sooner you can focus on what really matters: running and growing your business.
