VAT Returns

---

No need to worry about the dreaded VAT return. Our bookkeeping service means that we undertake this for you, we will give details of what needs to be paid and when and even submit the VAT return to HMRC on your behalf. Additionally, we help you understand your numbers; monthly financial reports that not only will you understand but will help you make those important financial decisions.

All businesses with VAT taxable turnover more than £85,000 (2017-18) must register for VAT with the HMRC. Even if your taxable turnover at the moment is below the threshold, you may still be required to register for VAT if;

· You expect to go over the threshold in a single 30 day period

· You take over a business that is already registered

Before registering for any VAT scheme, it is important to understand your business requirements and then choose the most appropriate VAT scheme for your business. It may be best to discuss the options available to you with your accountant to be sure you register for the best VAT scheme that will suite your business/cashflow.

We will then be happy to get you registered for VAT and guide you all the way to raising your VAT invoices.

Flat  Rate VAT Scheme

• The flat rate VAT scheme is designed to help small businesses reduce the amount of time they spend accounting for VAT.    
• Using the flat rate scheme, you do not have to calculate the VAT on each transaction. Instead, you simply pay a flat rate percentage of your turnover as VAT.­­ 
• The percentage is less than the standard VAT rate because it considers the   fact that you are not reclaiming VAT on your purchases. There is range of   flat rate percentages – the one you use depends on your trade sector. 
• Although the flat rate scheme can reduce your paperwork, one downside is   that you cannot reclaim VAT on your purchases. If you buy a lot of goods and   services from VAT registered business, you could end up paying more VAT.
• Also, if you make a lot of zero- rated or exempt sales, you could end up paying more VAT because you will still be liable to pay the flat rate   percentage on your turnover for those sales, even though you are not charging VAT on those sales.   Standard VAT accounting Standard VAT accounting allows you to reclaim VAT that you may have had to pay on you purchases.
• You will pay or reclaim the net of the VAT that you have charged your customers and the VAT that you have had to pay on your purchases.   
• You will pay or reclaim the net of the VAT that you have charged your customers and the VAT that you have had to pay on your purchases.
   

Standard VAT Accounting Scheme

• Standard VAT accounting method follows the accrual basis of accounting;  this means that your VAT calculations will be based on your raised invoice rather than the date the invoice was paid.
• This could have a negative cashflow effect on your business since you must   pay VAT over to HMRC for services or goods sold which you have not yet   received the money for.
• On the contrary, if you have not paid for goods purchased, you can claim the VAT on the invoice received resulting in positive impact on you cashflow.   Cash VAT Accounting In   contrast to standard VAT accounting, cash accounting allows you to calculate on actual VAT money paid or received than on invoice basis.
   

Cash VAT Accounting Scheme

• Cash accounting can be beneficial for your cash flow especially if your   customers are slow to pay. It is even more useful if you have bad debts.  Using the cash accounting scheme, you do not pay VAT if your customer never pays you.    

Choosing the right VAT scheme can make a huge difference for your business. There are number of factors that need to be considered, such as products or services being supplied, the nature of business and the revenue that can all affect the right choice of VAT scheme. This is why we strongly suggest you take some advice from your accountant on this prior to registering for VAT.