“She immediately saved us in the region of £4000.00  by just talking to us for a matter of minutes.  Her knowledge and efficiency are second to none.”

− Karen Skinner, Nical Installations Limited

Value Added Tax - VAT

VAT is one of the most complicated of taxes to comply with and the one that can cause the most headaches! Whilst simple in theory, in practice there are many pitfalls. This is particularly true of land and property transactions, where if you get it wrong the amounts involved can be very large indeed!
 
However, the Plummer Parsons tax team can guide you through the legislation and offer advice when it is needed. We can analyse your business activities and tell you when you need to register, how to comply with your filing obligations and whether to charge VAT or not.
 
Remember also that VAT is an all encompassing tax. It affects businesses, charities and non-profit making organisations alike! If your taxable income exceeds the registration limits you are required to register even if you are a charity and do not normally pay tax! In fact, the variety and nature of charities’ income streams means that VAT compliance is harder for charities, and charities need to be aware of the various VAT exemptions specifically available to them.

Why Plummer Parsons?

We have a wide knowledge of VAT issues which includes helping clients with VAT investigations and negotiating reductions in excessive tax demands. Our tax team can help with any of the following:

  • Assistance with VAT registration - both voluntary and compulsory.
  • Advice on which VAT scheme to use – flat rate or cash accounting.
  • Help with completing your VAT returns.
  • VAT planning for future projects including land and property transactions.
  • General advice on claiming and charging VAT.
  • Negotiating with H M Revenue & Customs regarding VAT investigations and assistance with VAT visits.

 

For your ease we have listed below related articles on this topic.  Where applicable there is also a list of useful links on the left hand side.

If you would like to speak to someone please do not hesitate to contact us.

 


Flat rate scheme

This scheme is designed to reduce the cost of complying with VAT obligations by simplifying the way small businesses calculate their VAT.

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Annual accounting scheme

Under annual accounting, you make agreed payments on account and need complete only one VAT return per year. The purpose of the scheme is to aid cashflow and budgeting and reduce the paperwork involved.

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Cash accounting scheme

Cash accounting enables you to account for VAT on the basis of payments received and made instead of on tax invoices issued and received.

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Issuing VAT invoices

Where a VAT registered person makes supplies of goods or services to another VAT registered person, subject to the standard or reduced rate.

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When to add VAT?

This subject has been causing confusion for the whole 35 years we have had VAT in the UK. There are a number of issues to consider.

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VAT do's and don'ts

If you need to check you are being given a valid VAT number you can call HMRC's national advice service on 0845 010 9000 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.

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Bad debt relief

Under the normal rules of VAT, a supplier has to account for output tax even if the supply has not been paid for. VAT cannot be reclaimed by issuing a credit note for the unpaid amount.

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Recovering VAT on staff expenses

Although the VAT rules normally prevent you reclaiming VAT on supplies that are not made direct to you, there are certain circumstances when the rules are relaxed.

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Group VAT registration

VAT grouping occurs where two or more corporate bodies, usually companies or limited liability partnerships are treated as a single taxable "person" for VAT purposes.

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Multiple supplies rules

Affiliated to the subject of recharges is the issue of how to differentiate between single and multiple supplies for VAT purposes.

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Deregistering for VAT

Deregistration from VAT is usually a fairly straightforward process. However, there are some important aspects to bear in mind which, if misunderstood, could prove costly.

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Penalties for VAT infringements

The complicated penalty system for VAT errors has been simplified, but it is not all good news.

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