A guide to your VAT return

Find out more about VAT registration, the VAT Flat Rate Scheme, and filing your VAT return.

What is VAT?

VAT is short for Value Added Tax.

In this guide, let FreeAgent's Chief Accountant Emily Coltman explains what VAT is and what it can mean for you.

Introduce me to VAT!

VAT Guides

Get ready for MTD

Find out what you need to do to get your business set up for Making Tax Digital.

Registering for VAT - what you need to know

Do you need to register for VAT? Find out the details in this article.

A guide to different VAT rates

What's the difference between standard, discount, and zero-rated VAT? Find out in this article.

Where to find a business's VAT number

All of your business’s VAT-registered suppliers will have a unique registration number - here's how to find it.

Charging and reclaiming VAT

A guide about how to charge and reclaim VAT.

What's the difference between 'invoice' and 'cash' accounting for VAT?

An explanation of the different VAT accounting schemes.

Getting the VAT details right on your invoices

If your business is registered for VAT, there is a lot of information that you need to make sure you include on your invoices.

Is there VAT on train tickets? (and other common VAT questions)

Struggling to figure out what you can and can’t claim VAT back on? Our handy guide has the answers to a range of common VAT questions.

A guide to VAT for charities

This guide will help you to understand the various VAT implications of running a charity and make sure you stay on the right side of HMRC.

VAT error corrections made simple

If you realise you’ve made a mistake once you’ve submitted a VAT return, try not to panic! This simple guide explains what to do in both scenarios.

The VAT Flat Rate Scheme

Would you be better on the VAT Flat Rate Scheme?

Here's an introduction to the UK's flat rate VAT scheme for small businesses.

VAT and FreeAgent

File your VAT returns directly to HMRC with FreeAgent

Find out how FreeAgent can fill and file your VAT return.

Current UK VAT rates

Standard rate 20%
Reduced rate 5%
Zero rate 0%

Stay up-to-date with the current VAT rate with our UK tax rates tracker.

VAT Calculators

Add or remove VAT with this simple VAT calculator

Find out if the VAT Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) is a good fit for your business

Other Topics

Submit your VAT return online

FreeAgent makes it easy to file MTD-compliant VAT returns with HMRC.

Take a tour of VAT in FreeAgent