Introduction to VAT

VAT - short for Value Added Tax (and also known as Very Awkward Tax because it's so complicated) - is a tax surrounded by myths!

All businesses have to register for VAT? - No they don't.

All limited companies have to register for VAT? - No they don't!

OK, so what sort of a tax is VAT, and how does it work?

Essentially, VAT is a tax on sales. 

If a business is registered for VAT, then it has to charge VAT on all its taxable sales. This is called output VAT.

It's also entitled to claim back most - but not all - of the VAT that it's charged by its suppliers. This is called input VAT.

BUT not all businesses have to register for VAT.

Which businesses do have to register for VAT? 

HM Revenue set a limit for a business's annual VATable sales. If your business's VATable sales went over the limit in the last 12 months, which you must check regularly each month, or if you expect the limit will be broken in the next 30 days, you must register your business for VAT. 

The current limit is £70,000.

The limit is the main factor but there are others as laid out by HM Revenue. 

Can I register for VAT even if my VATable sales aren't up to the limit?

Usually, yes.

But if your business is making only exempt sales, you can't ever register for VAT. 

What do you mean by "VATable sales" and "exempt sales"?

Most goods and services sold in the UK are VATable. There are different rates of VAT, which I'll go into in my next post.

But some are exempt from VAT, such as stamps and insurance, and also education. So if you're a home tutor, selling nothing else but your teaching, you'll never have to register for VAT because your business only ever makes exempt sales.

Why wouldn't I register for VAT straight away, even when my VATable sales are below the limit?

Who are your customers and your potential customers?

If your customers aren't registered for VAT, then they won't be able to claim back input VAT on the goods and services they buy from you. So effectively, your business registering for VAT represents a price increase to them.

If your customers are the general public (e.g. you're a jobbing gardener), or are small businesses who might well not have registered for VAT yet (e.g. you're a virtual assistant), then you'd be well advised to put off registering as long as you can. Otherwise you're stuck with either passing on the increase to your customers, or taking a profit cut.

Remember too, that registering for VAT is going to put an additional admin burden on you. Although FreeAgent will handle the calculation of the figures, you'll be legally obliged to file the returns regularly with HM Revenue and pay the VAT over.

Some more cynical folk say that when your business is registered for VAT, you're acting as an unpaid tax collector for HM Revenue.

It's undoubtedly true that you're also laying yourself open to visits from their inspectors, and interest and penalties if you don't pay your VAT on time.

My business has to register for VAT. How do I do that?

Either online or on paper, there are forms to fill in and send to HM Revenue.

Then how do I go about charging VAT to my customers, and what rate would I use?

Watch this space, we'll tell you next week!