Check a UK VAT number is authentic
Verifying a VAT number before reclaiming VAT can protect your business from rejected claims, repayments, and unnecessary penalties.The online service for checking a UK VAT number is available at www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number. This online tool allows businesses and individuals to verify the
VAT Annual Accounting – filing your return
For eligible businesses, the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme can reduce paperwork, smooth cash flow and replace quarterly returns with a single annual submission.
The VAT Annual Accounting Scheme is open to most businesses with a taxable turnover of up to £1.35 million per year. Businesses using the
Work out your VAT fuel scale charge
VAT road fuel scale charges are fixed, standardised amounts that businesses must use to account for output VAT when they provide fuel for private use in a vehicle that is also used for business purposes.
The VAT road fuel scale charges are published annually with the current figures applying from 1
Penalty points for late filing of VAT returns
Many businesses are still unaware that the VAT late filing and late payment rules now operate on a points-based system, where repeated delays can quickly lead to a £200 penalty and added interest.
The VAT late filing penalties regime changed for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January
Advantages of VAT Flat Rate Scheme
If your business has relatively low VATable expenses, the VAT Flat Rate Scheme can simplify your VAT reporting and may also improve cash flow.
The VAT Flat Rate Scheme is designed to simplify VAT accounting for small businesses. Instead of calculating VAT on each sale and purchase, businesses pay a
VAT on goods you export
Exports from Great Britain or Northern Ireland can be zero-rated for VAT, provided businesses obtain valid export evidence within three months of sale and meet all HMRC documentation rules; accuracy and record-keeping are key to keeping the 0% rate.
Businesses are required to charge VAT on most
Benefits of the VAT Cash Accounting Scheme
Waiting to be paid but still having to hand over VAT? The VAT Cash Accounting Scheme potentially lets you pay VAT only when your customer pays you, helping to ease cash flow pressures for small and medium-sized businesses.
This approach can offer significant benefits if your business offers
Exception from VAT registration
Businesses over £90,000 turnover must register for VAT, but HMRC may grant exceptions if the increase is temporary.
A business must register for VAT if either of the following applies:
At the end of any month, its taxable turnover in the previous 12 months has exceeded £90,000; or
At any point,
VAT – Entertainment provided to directors and partners of a business
When considering VAT on entertainment provided solely to directors or partners of a business it is generally not recoverable as VAT Input Tax.
HMRC considers that directors and partners are not in need of entertainment to motivate themselves, so such costs are not for business purposes. However,
Unauthorised issue of a VAT invoice
Issuing a VAT invoice without registration or authorisation can lead to HMRC penalties, even if it is done by mistake.
A penalty may be charged by HMRC when an individual or business issues an unauthorised VAT invoice showing or including VAT without being allowed to do so. The invoice does not