VAT Blog
Latest news, thoughts and articles from the world of VAT.
VAT, residential property development, “dwellings” and “conversions”
Whether you're planning a new property development or some sort of residential conversion, you probably already know that the VAT issues are quite difficult. Although the main principles seem simple, the rules are far more complicated than they appear at first glance...
MOSS registrations, group registrations and publishing on Amazon
MOSS - is it a business or a hobby? Some of you will remember this time last year when everyone was in a real tangle trying to understand the VAT registration requirements for the MOSS scheme for businesses making B2C digital sales to customers in other EC countries....
New ebook: VAT on management charges …. now available
VATWoman's Guide to inter-company services, management charges, cost sharing and much more... Dealing with VAT on transactions with associated businesses Now available! "Can we claim VAT on our office costs and legal bills if we raise a management charge to our...
Saving VAT on residential self-builds and DIY conversions
Saving VAT on residential self-builds and DIY conversions. One of the most common VAT subjects is VAT on self-builds (or "DIY" builds) and DIY conversions. Many of you will know that there is a scheme whereby you can claim VAT on certain goods and/or services. It...
What happens if HMRC disagrees with 5% VAT on a conversion or refurbishment?
What happens if HMRC disagrees with 5% VAT on a conversion or refurbishment? So what exactly DOES happen if a contractor has charged 5% VAT for a conversion or refurbishment but HMRC disagrees? Let’s assume I’m a contractor and I did a renovation project for £100,000...
What did I learn in 2015?
After years, no, decades of setting new years' resolutions and failing within the first month, I don't even think about setting myself any sort of resolutions. I know that within the next few weeks, a lot of people will be beating themselves up because they've failed...
VAT, the capital goods scheme and commercial property costing £250,000 or more
This time, we're looking at the VAT capital goods scheme. There are lots of good reasons for avoiding certain payment points, whether for tax purposes, stamp duty, or simply because of your budget. And here's another one: £250,000. So why? It's because £250,000 is the...
VAT News Winter 2015/2016
Now that most of us are back at our desks, I thought it was a good time to review a few topical issues from 2015. These include PPFs and international management charges, but I want to start with a subject that affects anyone who plays golf, tennis or any other sport...
PPFs and the unexpected traps of opting to tax
PPFs and the unexpected traps of opting to tax One of the most common ways to invest pension funds is to invest in property. Sometimes people own a few house to generate rental income; but I've dealt with a number of PPF situations involving commercial property or...
When is a conversion not a conversion?
I'm always being asked about the easiest ways to save VAT on property developments, particularly conversions. But it's not always easy because the VAT rules have 2 different ways of saving VAT on conversions. So you have to know: when is a conversion not a...
Does the client REALLY need the letter by 5pm on a Friday?
Autumn is always a busy time of year. After the summer holidays are long past, clients remember that outstanding project you discussed back in the spring and all of a sudden, you've got your normal day to day client work plus a number of major projects to handle....
VAT: Cost sharing and disbursements and when to charge VAT
VAT, cost sharing and disbursements and when to charge VAT: One of the most common areas of confusion when sharing costs between associated businesses is whether or not you have to charge VAT. Typical examples would be when one group company contracts with third party...
Accountants, VAT and property advice
This blog is all about accountants, VAT and property advice. But before I start, I should say that I don't really know how to write this blog without offending some accountants. So I'm going to apologise in advance to any of you who think I'm being unfair. And...
Additional REsources
A Few Other Resources We’ve Created for Our Customers
Reverse charge for construction services delayed until 2020
See HMRC R&C Brief 2020 which explains why http://tinyurl.com/y4t2gq3l
Yes please, say thank you!
This is a very quick post to make a very simple point. Every week, I answer queries, free of charge, from all sorts of people, both businesses and private individuals. So even if the query is quite complicated, if I can deal with it in an initial telephone call or...
The TOMS and serviced accommodation
VAT is a major issue for the SA sector, with many small operators trading in a very tight market. But could SA operators who operate from leased properties save VAT if their business falls within the TOMS? The VAT issues involved are complex and you need to know how...