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VAT isn’t the simplest thing to get your head around, and at times the terminology makes it seem more complex. To help you make sense of it all we explain what HMRC mean by some of the most frequently used VAT jargon to help you get going.
There are different VAT accounting schemes available, which can affect the way that you report and pay VAT. Some VAT schemes do have eligibility criteria, but as long as you meet those, it’s usually up to you to choose the one most useful for your business. Learn more about the different VAT schemes and their requirements.
You can cancel your VAT registration if the business is no longer eligible or if it stops trading. Make sure you cancel your VAT registration within 30 days of becoming ineligible, or you might attract HMRC penalties!
Disbursements are things that your business spends money on, the cost of which you then recharge to your customer. They’re a bit different to expenses because they’re costs that you incur on behalf of your customer, rather than as a result of the service you offer. The difference between disbursements and expenses has implications for the way you charge and report VAT.
With some goods and services it’s the customer’s responsibility, rather than the supplier’s, to account for VAT. This is known as the domestic reverse charge and applies to goods and services such as computer chips and emission allowances, as well as VAT-registered businesses in the Construction Industry Scheme.
This is the date you went over the registration threshold or requested voluntary registration.
These are supplies and services that you can’t charge VAT on. For example, insurance, postage stamps, or health services provided by doctors. The government website has a full list of goods and services that are VAT exempt.
This refers to goods and services which are outside the VAT tax system, that you can’t charge or reclaim VAT on. Charges outside the scope of VAT typically include charges made by the government, such as MOT testing or the London congestion charge. Another typical example is the wages that you pay to employees.
Registering for VAT tells HMRC that your business will now start making regular VAT submissions. You must register for VAT if:
You can apply for a registration exception if your taxable turnover only goes over the threshold temporarily. Write to HMRC with evidence showing why you believe your VAT taxable turnover won’t go over the de-registration threshold of £88,000 in the next 12 months. HMRC will either confirm your exception or register you for VAT.
It’s normally compulsory to register your business for VAT once your taxable turnover reaches the registration threshold. The current threshold for the 2024/25 tax year is £90,000.
This is the unique reference number which identifies your VAT registration with HMRC. You’ll need to include your VAT reference number on every invoice.
A VAT period is the timespan covered by your VAT accounting. For example, if you use the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme then there are 12 months in your VAT period. If you use the standard VAT accounting method, then each VAT period will cover one ‘quarter’ (the three-month period that you need to report on your VAT submission). It’s crucial to know what your VAT period covers, because this also affects your VAT reporting deadline.
The rate of VAT that registered businesses must charge on their sales depends on what taxable goods and services are involved:
Some businesses find it useful to register for VAT even though their turnover is less than registration threshold. This is known as making a voluntary registration. There can be several reasons for doing this, including being more tax efficient.
VAT taxable turnover is the total value of your UK sales that aren’t VAT exempt, including:
Zero-rated means that the goods are still VAT-taxable but the rate of VAT you must charge your customers is 0%. You still have to record them in your VAT accounts and report them to HMRC. Examples include children’s clothes and shoes, or motorcycle helmets.
Learn more about our online accounting services for VAT. Call the team on 020 3355 4047 and get an instant quote online.
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