Track and move returns through the workflow
The Returns page displays all your returns with key information such as filing deadline, return status, and assignee.
Besides checking the progress of a return, on this page, you can also move returns forward or back in the workflow, deactivate, or follow them.
If there aren't any returns listed on the page, you may not have added any returns to the Filing Calendar yet, or need to adjust your filters.
Return cards and workflow steps
The layout and information presented on the Returns page, including the return cards and customizable workflow steps.
The default view of the Returns page is a grid view, with each return represented by a card. The card shows the following information:
- Country where the return needs to be filed
- Company and VAT Group
- Return name
- Filing period
- Due date
- Return status
The return cards are arranged by steps that a return needs to go through until it is ready to be submitted to the government. There are default steps already configured in each account, such as data gathering, preparation, review, submission, and payment that can form your team's workflow. These default workflow steps, however, are customizable to suit your business's internal processes. Go to the Filing Calendar to set up your team's workflow steps.
Move a workflow step
You can move workflow steps back and forth in the Returns page.
You can also move a return to another workflow step on the return details page.
Return statuses
Learn about the different returns statuses in VAT Filing.
Each return has a status that shows where it is in the filing process, helping you track the return's progress and ensure timely filing. The status is based on the number of days left between the current date and the return deadline. The return deadline is the due date set for the return in the Filing Calendar.
Return statuses by margin color
- Green
- If a return reaches the Complete workflow step before the return deadline, its status is Completed.
- Blue
- If the current date is one or more days before the return deadline, the status is On Track.
- Orange
- If the current date is the same day as the return deadline, the status is At Risk.
- Red
- If the current date is later than the return deadline, the status is Late.
- Gray
- If the return has been deactivated for the current filing period, the return deadline is ignored, and the status is Inactive.
The return status isn't impacted by the return's current workflow step except for the Complete workflow step, which will change the status to Completed. The return deadline is displayed on the return card on the Returns page and the return details page.
Checking the return status without the margin color
You can also check the return status without relying on the margin color. The return status is spelled out on the Returns page in the List view in the Status column and shown on a tracking panel on the return details page.
Special statuses
- Completed Late
- On the return details page, you can also see whether a return was completed late. When a return has a late status, and is moved to the Completed workflow step, its status will become Completed Late. You'll also see how many days late each workflow step was completed.
- Return form is in the queue
- The Return form is in the queue status is shown when a return form is being created or refreshed is and is being processed. Processing usually takes under a minute, but the bigger the return form or the more data there are to process, the longer it can take.
Change the view in the Returns page
Learn how to change the view in the Returns page, so you can see returns in workflow or list mode.
- Go to
- Click the View by icon in the toolbar. Then, select List or Workflow from the dropdown.
Filtering returns on the toolbar
Learn the filtering options for returns using the Return page's toolbar.
The default period on the Returns page is the current month. Change the month you're viewing by clicking the arrows on the toolbar to go forward or backward one month at a time or click the calendar icon to select a specific month and year.
Filter your returns by country, company/VAT group, and return type by selecting the appropriate option from the dropdowns in the toolbar.
Click the Reset Filters icon to remove all filters.
Click the Assigned to me button to show only the returns assigned to you or the Following button to show only the returns you are following. These buttons will turn blue when selected and gray when deselected.
Click the buttons again to deselect them.
Filter returns with the filter panel
Learn how to filter returns using the filter panel, as it gives more advanced options such as assignee, workflow step, and return status.
- Go to
- Click the Filters icon.
- To select countries, companies and VAT groups, or assignees, click the Add icon and make your selection.
- To select one or more workflow steps, return types, or return statuses, select their checkboxes.
- Click Apply.
Follow or unfollow a single return
Learn how to follow or unfollow a single return in VAT Filing.
You can also follow or unfollow a single return from the return details page.
- Go to
- If you are in list view, click the View by icon in the toolbar. Then, select Workflow from the dropdown.
- Right-click the return card. Then, select Follow this return or Unfollow from the dropdown.
Deactivate and reactivate a single return
Learn how to deactivate and reactivate a single return in VAT Filing.
You can deactivate a return if it's not ready for filing yet, if you have just started filing a return, or if you don't want to file for a certain month. When you deactivate a return, its status will be Inactive for the current reporting period. You can reactivate the return at any time during the current period to file, or to file late if needed.
You can also deactivate or reactivate a single return from the return details page.
If you deactivate a return, it won't be filed on the due date.
- Go to
- If you are in list view, click the View by icon in the toolbar. Then, select Workflow from the dropdown.
- Right-click the return card. Then, select Deactivate for current period or Reactivate from the dropdown.
Modify multiple returns
Learn how to move multiple returns to another workflow step, deactivate them, or follow them at once in VAT Filing.
You can also modify multiple returns from the return details page.
- Go to
- If you are in list view, click the View by icon in the toolbar. Then, select Workflow from the dropdown.
- Click the More options icon in the column header. Then, click Select all.
- Click the other More options icon in the area where you see the number of selected returns. Then, select the action you'd like to take with these returns.