What is a tax point?

Definition of a tax point

A tax point is the date on which VAT becomes due on a particular transaction. The VAT on that transaction must be included on the VAT return in which that date falls.

The tax point depends on several factors, such as:

In most cases, if a business is invoice accounting for VAT, the tax point is the same date as the VAT invoice, and if a business is cash accounting for VAT, the tax point is the date when the money is received.

There are exceptions though, for example if a business supplies goods more than 14 days before it issues a VAT invoice for those goods, the tax point is the day the goods were supplied.

Example of a tax point:

Deborah is a web designer. Her business's VAT quarters end on 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December each year.

She is invoice accounting for VAT and completes a piece of work on 1st December. The following day she goes away skiing and does not return till 1st January, on which day she issues the invoice to her customer.

Because Deborah completed her work more than 14 days before she issued the VAT invoice, the tax point is the day on which she completed the work - 1st December.

That means she must include this invoice, and the VAT it contains, on her VAT return for the quarter ended 31st December.

Submitting your VAT return online

FreeAgent automatically generates your VAT returns, reminds you when payment is due and then lets you submit them online directly to HMRC.

Disclaimer: The content included in this glossary is based on our understanding of tax law at the time of publication. It may be subject to change and may not be applicable to your circumstances, so should not be relied upon. You are responsible for complying with tax law and should seek independent advice if you require further information about the content included in this glossary. If you don't have an accountant, take a look at our directory to find a FreeAgent Practice Partner based in your local area.

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