When are Maltese VAT returns due?
VAT periods are quarterly. The return and payment are due by the 15th day of the second month after the period end, so the quarter ending 31 March is due on 15 May.
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Detailed Explanation
## The deadline
Maltese VAT periods are quarterly, covering three calendar months. The return and the payment are both due by the 15th day of the second month following the period end. The quarter ending 31 March is due on 15 May.
## The 7-day allowance
No interest is charged if the return is e-filed with payment within 7 days after the due date.
## Penalties and interest
Late returns cost the higher of 1% of the net tax or €20 a month, capped at €250. Late payment interest is 0.6% a month.
## Rates
The standard rate is 18%. Reduced rates are 12%, 7% and 5%. The 0% rate is exempt with credit and covers food for human consumption, pharmaceuticals, exports and intra-EU supplies.
## Small enterprises
Article 11 small enterprises have calendar-year VAT periods instead of quarterly ones, and they do not recover input VAT.
## What Finn does
Finn tracks the quarterly dates and watches turnover against €35,000. You file through the MTCA portal.
Source: https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/406/eng
Real-World Examples
Quarter ending 31 March
A business files and pays by 15 May.
Filed five days late
A business e-files and pays five days after the due date. No interest is charged, because it is within the 7-day allowance.
Food retailer
A retailer selling food charges 0% with credit, so it can recover input VAT.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the deadline is the end of the following month
- Treating the 7-day allowance as the real deadline
- Mixing up exempt with credit and exempt without credit
- Forgetting Article 11 businesses file on different periods
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are VAT returns filed?
Quarterly for Article 10 registrations.
When is payment due?
With the return, by the 15th of the second month after the period.
What is the late return penalty?
The higher of 1% of net tax or €20 a month, capped at €250.
What is the late payment interest?
0.6% per month.
What is the standard VAT rate?
18%.
Practical Tips
- Put the 15th of the second month in the calendar
- Reconcile VAT before the deadline
- Keep evidence of e-filing
- Review the rate on each product line
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