Box 5: net VAT to pay or reclaim

Box 5 is the bottom line. HMRC's notice says to deduct the number in box 4 from the number in box 3 and enter the difference in box 5.

Paying or reclaiming

If box 3 is bigger than box 4, box 5 is what you pay HMRC. If box 4 is bigger, box 5 is the amount you are reclaiming. On a paper return you do not enter a minus sign in box 5.

If you use the Annual Accounting Scheme

Do not deduct the instalments you paid during the period when you work out box 5. HMRC's notice says this in its section on the scheme.

Common mistakes

A box 5 that is not the difference between box 3 and box 4.
Taking Annual Accounting Scheme instalments off the box 5 figure.
Writing a minus sign in box 5 on a paper return.

Sources

HMRC, How to fill in and submit your VAT Return (VAT Notice 700/12), sections 3.1 and 3.6
HMRC, How to fill in and submit your VAT Return (VAT Notice 700/12), section 4.3
HMRC, How to fill in and submit your VAT Return (VAT Notice 700/12), section 7.1

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 November 2026. Rules and figures change, so verify on GOV.UK before you rely on this. General information, not tax advice.