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 spec... 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: residenti... 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... Read More

HMRC has published what appears to be the final online quarterly edition of VAT notes which includes a summary of recent changes to the VAT rules. HRMC has confirmed that from January 2019 'VAT Notes' will no longer be published online as VAT update... Read More

There are three main special VAT schemes available to small businesses. These are the flat rate scheme, the annual accounting scheme, and the cash accounting scheme. The turnover levels for joining and leaving these schemes vary. The flat rate sche... Read More

A new Revenue and Customs Brief (6-2018) entitled VAT exemption for all domestic service charges has recently been published by HMRC. The brief explains changes to the Extra Statutory Concession (ESC) 3.18 VAT: exemption for all domestic s... Read More

The introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT is fast approaching. From April 2019, some 1 million businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000) will have to keep their records digitally (for VAT purposes only), and... 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 amount of VAT that is refundable depends on the other countries' rules for claiming input tax. It... Read More

The VAT Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) has been designed to simplify a way a business accounts for VAT, and in so doing reduce the administration costs of complying with the VAT legislation. The scheme is open to businesses that expect their annual taxable... Read More

The VAT DIY Housebuilders scheme is a special scheme, enabling homeowners building a home to benefit from the special VAT rules that allow the qualifying construction costs of new homes and certain conversion works to be zero-rated. The scheme has be... Read More

HMRC has begun a letter writing campaign to remind businesses that the way they keep VAT records and submit their VAT returns is changing. The letters are being sent to businesses who will be within the scope of the new Making Tax Digital (MTD) for V... Read More

A change to the VAT rules first announced at Budget 2018 will come into effect from 1 October 2019. This change will make the supply of construction services between construction or building businesses subject to the domestic reverse charge. The reve... Read More