The VAT system is policed by HMRC and there can be heavy penalties for breaches of the legislation. There are four conditions that must be satisfied in order for an activity to be within the scope of UK VAT. These conditions are that the activity:... Read More

The new VAT road fuel scale charges have been published. The changes amend the VAT scale charges for taxing private use of road fuel to reflect changes in fuel prices. The new fuel scale charges must be used by companies from the start of their next... Read More

The deadline for businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold to keep digital records for VAT purposes using Making Tax Digital (MTD), is here. For VAT returns periods starting on or after 1 April 2019, businesses with a turnover above the... Read More

There are special VAT rules that allow two or more corporate bodies to be treated as a single taxable person for VAT purposes known as a VAT group. Advantages of group registration The representative member accounts for any tax due on supplies ma... Read More

In a letter being sent to businesses across the country, HMRC has published the following information on the effect a no-deal Brexit would have on changes to VAT IT systems. We have reproduced below a summary from the letter of the main announcement... Read More

As a general rule, most deposits made by customers serve as advance payments and create a VAT tax point when the deposit is received. It is important that businesses ensure that the VAT element of any deposits received is accounted for correctly. Usu... Read More

The deadline for the introduction of VAT filing changes is now just weeks away. For VAT returns periods starting on or after 1 April 2019, some 1 million businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000) will be required to... Read More

The VAT paid in other EU countries is often recoverable by VAT- registered businesses in the UK, who bought goods or services for business use. The exact rules that govern the amount of VAT refundable depends on the other countries' rules f... Read More

Where an error on a VAT return is discovered, VAT registered businesses have a duty to correct the error as soon as possible. As a general rule, you can use a current VAT return to make an adjustment to a past VAT return. However, in order to be abl... Read More

A joint venture is a commercial enterprise undertaken by two or more parties who otherwise retain their own separate identities. The parties to the joint venture usually bring together different resources and areas of expertise to help fulfil a speci... Read More

Charities pay VAT on all standard-rated goods and services they buy from VAT-registered businesses. They pay VAT at a reduced rate (5%) or the ‘zero rate’ on some goods and services. Charities pays 5% VAT on fuel and power if they’re for: residentia... Read More

There are special VAT rules that allow businesses to standard rate the supply of most non-residential and commercial land and buildings (known as the option to tax). This means that subsequent supplies by the person making the option to tax will be s... Read More