Recently released data would suggest that things remain tough in the economy as the number of insolvencies in August was the highest in that month in four years and the number of VAT and PAYE registered businesses overall dropped by almost 40,000.
It’s an interesting question isn’t it. In the UK we’re used to things being relatively cut and dried when it comes to VAT. There is the prevailing rate (currently 20%), zero rated VAT, (0%), VAT exempt (equally 0% but needs to be identified differently to Zero rated) and then the odd few idiosyncrasies such as energy at 5%. But by and large, the overwhelming majority of transactions will be either standard rate, 20%, or zero rated, 0%. That is unless you deal with someone like Amazon, who, it would appear, have been able to agree some of their own rates with HMRC.
When you split a business to avoid registering for VAT it is called disaggregation and HMRC can perceive this to be deliberate tax avoidance, which carries penalties and could see them treating all the individual businesses as a single entity and taxing them all equally. However, there are legitimate situations whereby disaggregation is acceptable and appropriate.
Back in October 2022, we shared the news that PAYE payments can now be paid to HMRC via Direct Debit in a similar way to VAT payments. But recent reports suggest the system is enduring some teething problems which have resulted in firms receiving incorrect penalties for non or late payment or paying twice to try and avoid penalties.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT became mandatory for all companies from April 2022. But despite the impending deadlines for registration and first returns to be made under the new scheme, many companies are still not ready, with some suggesting the figure could be as high as 80% of companies not prepared.
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his 2022 Spring Statement on 23rd March, reducing fuel duty and making some concessions on taxes. Read more and download our FREE Guide here.
As the dust settles on the 2021/22 budget and we absorb another round of tax increases and changes to reliefs and tapers, we are once again reminded of just how complex the UK tax system is. Managing this on an individual level is hard enough, imagine having to control and account for it across an […]
Plans to increase the frequency of reporting by the self-employed and small businesses, under the Governments Making Tax Digital (MTD) scheme, have been delayed. The next phase of roll out for MTD would have seen self-employed and small business required to maintain digital records and report their income to HMRC every quarter from April 2023. […]
For around 12 months now there has been much discussion about a review of the point at which companies must register for VAT, the VAT Threshold. Currently set at £85,000 of taxable turnover, the Chancellor was reported as planning a reduction of this figure to around £20,000 as part of his budget statement in November […]
Earlier this month, HMRC announced its detailed guidance for the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT transactions which comes into force from April 2019. Whilst other elements of the wider Making Tax Digital project have been put on hold because of the need to focus on implementing changes as a result of Brexit […]
Amid much talk of further tax rises in the pipeline, to help offset the impact of Brexit and to support the Governments planned spending increase on the NHS, HMRC has announced that it had a record tax take in the 17/18 tax year. The total take of just over £605 billion is up 5.4% on […]
If you have multiple VAT registered businesses, it is worth checking that you are claiming the right VAT in each instance to avoid HMRC disallowing claims for input/output tax. When reviewing returns from each business, HMRC will not only want to see a clear line of documentation relating to each transaction but will also seek […]