With iplicit, you cannot change the VAT boxes or tax control accounts that a document type posts to. These are fixed system behaviours based on whether the document is a Sales or Purchase document and the tax code applied.


How VAT Boxes Are Determined


Sales Documents

Sales documents always post VAT to:

  • Box 1 – VAT on sales
  • Box 3 – Total VAT due
  • Box 6 – Total sales

These boxes are fixed and cannot be changed.


Purchase Documents

Purchase documents post VAT to:

  • Box 4 – VAT reclaimed on purchases
  • Box 7 – Total purchases

However, Box 5 (Net VAT due or reclaimable) is also affected when a standard VAT code is applied, because Box 5 is a calculated figure:


Box 5 = Box 3 - Box 4


So while Purchase documents do not directly post to Box 5, they influence it whenever VAT is reclaimed.

Reduced‑rate or zero‑rate codes will behave similarly, affecting Boxes 4 and 7 depending on the VAT rate applied.

What can I do if I need VAT to post differently?


There are currently two supported options:


1. Manual Journal Adjustment

Before submitting the VAT return:

  • Total the VAT amounts that need reallocating
  • Post a manual journal to move VAT between the relevant VAT control accounts

This ensures the VAT return reflects the correct values.


2. Post as a Purchase Document and Settle via Contras

If a transaction needs to behave like a purchase for VAT purposes:

  • Post it as a Purchase document
  • Settle it using Contras (receipts/payments posted to a dedicated contra control account)

This allows the VAT to flow through the correct boxes while still clearing the balance