VAT — Guides, Tips & Expert Advice
VAT registration, returns, flat rate scheme, and threshold guides for UK small businesses.
51 articles on VAT
VAT Margin Scheme: How It Works for Second-Hand Goods
If you buy and sell second-hand goods, the VAT Margin Scheme lets you pay VAT only on your profit margin — not the full selling price. Here's how it works.
VAT on Car Purchase: Can You Reclaim It?
The short answer is usually no — VAT on cars is one of the most restricted reclaim categories. Here's why and what the exceptions are.
VAT on Food: The Complicated Rules Explained Simply
Why is a Jaffa Cake zero-rated but a chocolate biscuit standard-rated? The UK's VAT rules on food are notoriously complex. Here's a plain-English guide.
Can You Claim VAT on Mileage?
If you're VAT-registered and use the HMRC mileage rate, you can reclaim VAT on the fuel element. Here's how the calculation works.
VAT on Property: Rules Every Landlord Must Know
Property transactions and VAT interact in complex ways. Here's what landlords and property owners need to know about exempt supplies, opting to tax, and the capital goods scheme.
VAT on Rent: When Does It Apply?
Residential rent is VAT-exempt. Commercial rent might not be. Here's a quick guide to when VAT applies to rent payments.
VAT and Overseas Customers: What to Charge
Selling services or goods to customers outside the UK? The VAT treatment depends on where your customer is and what you're selling. Here's how it works post-Brexit.
VAT Partial Exemption: Mixed Supply Rules
If your business makes both taxable and exempt supplies, you're partially exempt and can only reclaim some of your input VAT. Here's how the rules work.
VAT Penalties and Surcharges: The New Points System
HMRC's new penalty system for late VAT returns and late payments replaced the old default surcharge. Here's how the points-based system works.
VAT Reclaims: How to Claim Back VAT on Purchases
If you're VAT-registered, you can reclaim VAT on business purchases. Here's how input VAT works, what you need, and common items people forget to claim.
VAT Registration Threshold 2026: The Key Number
The VAT registration threshold for 2026/27 is £90,000. Here's what that means and how to monitor it.
VAT Registration: When You Must Register and How to Do It
A comprehensive guide to VAT registration in the UK — when it's compulsory, how to register, what happens next, and common mistakes to avoid.
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