Hi Mav.
If your VAT has always been paid on time in previous years then you may be allowed a bit extra time to pay, but being HMRC you will have to be able to prove exceptional circumstances as to why you havnt paid it.
Dont lie to them about the reasons, they’ll know anyway by your bank statements. They will only do this once, I know this because I had a friend with a pub and he was in a similar situation, if he didn’t pay his VAT on this particular date they were going to close his pub down. However he rang them, probably on the number Harry posted above, and they gave him a stay of execution, cant remember if it was 6 weeks or 3 months.
I’m going to have to register for VAT in April and although life is all sing all dancing tickety boo for me, it does concern me that in a years time I might have 15 or 20K in the bank that belongs to the VAT man. I do have a plan but thats not going to help you.
Have faith in your higher power Mav, as serious as it is and as hard as it is dont let this bog you down.
Good look with it.
Geordie.