VAT Blog

The important role of solicitors in construction contracts. I'm currently working with a couple of developers who are appointing contractors to do various construction work. One is a commercial developer, the other is converting a property into his family home. In...

Why is VAT and property so complicated?  I remember from many years ago a conversation with an accountant about VAT and property. We'd been discussing his client's plans for a property conversion and the VAT issues that would determine how much VAT the client would...

Contractors and the 5% rate: I've been blogging recently about the VAT reliefs for residential property development and why it's important that contractors don't overcharge VAT. It's over 10 years since the government introduced the 5% rate for certain conversions and...

I recently read somewhere that you have 3 seconds in which to grab the attention of any potential client or customer. I suppose that's why the BBC is always looking for "soundbites", to try and summarize major new stories in a few words. So here's my 3 second...

Property developers, contractors and over-charged VAT: Whenever I do presentations about VAT and property, one of the most common questions is "why does it matter how much VAT my contractor charges if I can claim it back from HMRC?". The reason is because of one of...

Introduction Part 1: Introduction to VAT and property Planning the development Quick Reference Guide for residential property developers Introduction to the case studies Part 2: VAT and residential property development PART 2, SECTION 1: VAT BASIC PRINCIPLES AND VAT...

As a VAT consultant, I am used to the fact that dealing with HMRC is a bit of a hit and miss affair. Sometimes you're lucky and speak to an officer who understands the system AND your query and you get a very helpful reply to your query. Other times, it's like pulling...

The easiest way to save 20% on residential property development.   If you're a residential property developer, please read this before you pay a deposit, sign anything or go to the auction.  It's the easiest way to save 20% VAT on residential property development...

This week has seen the sad passing of two lovely ladies, both in the prime of their lives and well before their time. Susan Taylor Susan Taylor was the lady who died while swimming the Channel last weekend to raise money for the Rainbows Hospice in Leicesteshire. She...

Well I thought it was about time I wrote on this poor, neglected blog. Thing is that I’ve been busy on a couple of projects and everytime I come up for air, another month has gone by and now we’re in June and soon the nights will be falling in and before you know it,...

Over recent months, I've had more than normal questions from owners of small businesses about whether they should register for VAT. Some of the emails I receive are from people who are genuinely worried about the effect that registering for VAT will have on them and...

As an independent VAT consultant, I deal with a wide range of businesses from those whose turnover is in the tens of millions to those whose turnover is in the tens of thousands. And based on that experience, it seems to me that one of the biggest barriers to growth...

As an independent VAT consultant, I deal with a wide range of businesses from those whose turnover is in the tens of millions to those whose turnover is in the tens of thousands. And based on that experience, it seems to me that one of the VAT registration limit is a...