An Introduction to Registration and Accounting For Value Added Tax

When the sales turnover of a business reaches the vat threshold, currently 64,000 pounds per annum until reviewed in April 2008, then registration for vat is compulsory. If financially beneficial, businesses can register for vat prior to sales turnover reaching the vat threshold.

When a business registers for vat it becomes responsible for charging vat at the correct percentage on every sales invoice and transfer of goods and services and also maintaining accurate financial accounting records of the vat charged hat are subject to vat inspections. If the sales turnover has breached the vat threshold that business is liable for the vat on sales even if it has not charged the customer.

The vat charged to customers is called output tax and the vat on purchases is called input tax. When a business has registered for vat in addition to maintaining records of sales and input tax it must also keep accurate financial records of purchases and input tax in order to calculate the vat payment to be made.

The amount of vat to be paid each quarter is the difference between the sales output tax and the purchases input tax and is paid quarterly to HMRC.

Specific types of business transactions are exempt from vat such as insurance and loans. If the business only supplies exempt items then the business cannot register for vat to reclaim the input tax paid on purchases.

Registering voluntarily for vat when the sales turnover is below the vat threshold is a financial planning decision that each small business should consider. There are both advantages and disadvantages to a voluntary registration and the timing of the registration may also be a feature to be taken into account.

The advantages include being able to reclaim the input tax on purchases which is otherwise lost as a financial cost to the business. However as a consequence of a voluntary vat registration that business would also have to charge value added tax on all its sales invoices.

If the business has mainly vat registered clients then charging value added tax would probably not affect sales volume and has the advantage of enhanced credibility within the business community in which it operates. Charging value added tax to non registered clients such as members of the public would increase the amount being charged and make the small business less competitive.

When a business moves from being not registered to being registered changes may have to be made to the bookkeeping records being maintained. Not normally a problem if accounting or bookkeeping software is being used provided the financial system employed can fulfil the enhanced requirements being vat registered.

The accounting requirements of being registered for value added tax require the business to issue vat invoices which show the name and address of the business, the vat registration number, sales invoice date and the output tax being charged. An accounting record must be kept of all sales invoices issued in a format that permits a subsequent audit check when the customs and excise visit to conduct an audit check of the value added tax accounting records.

In relation to purchase invoices the input tax may only be reclaimed on those invoices for which the business has a purchase invoice. A valid purchase invoice contains the vat number of the supplier who issued the invoice. An accounting record must be kept of all purchase invoices showing the output tax being reclaimed.

Value added tax returns are normally required to be prepared on a quarterly basis and submitting to customs and excise before the end of the following month. If registered for the online service vat returns can be filed online. There are benefits to filing the tax return online in that many businesses may receive up to 7 days longer than normal to file the return provided the payment is being made electronically.

There are penalties for failing to submit the tax return on time and interest may be charged on the outstanding amount. When a value added tax return is not submitted on time an assessment may be raised which has to be paid as a legal debt until such time as the return is submitted and the amount due corrected.

It is important to submit the return on time even if there is a problem paying the full amount. Failing to submit on time brings the business to the attention of the tax authority that is more likely to inspect and investigate persistent offenders.

A business can be expected to receive an inspection every three years however in the worst case scenario of a delinquent vat registered business the customs and excise could inspect every quarter.

19 Nov 2008 20:56:16

Punjab defies crisis, registers 39% rise in VAT collections - Financial Express

Business Standard Punjab defies crisis, registers 39% rise in VAT collections Financial Express, India - Ongoing slowdown may not have any adverse impact on the collection of Value Added Tax ( VAT ) in Punjab in view of states agrarian economy. ... 'Services sector likely to be hit most'

Source: http://financialexpress.com/news/Punjab-defies-crisis--regis~

19 Nov 2008 18:31:31

Labour MPs urge Brown to cut VAT in Pre-Budget Report - First Post

BBC News Labour MPs urge Brown to cut VAT in Pre-Budget Report First Post, UK - Labour MPs are urging Gordon Brown to cut the 17.5 per cent rate of VAT when Chancellor Alistair Darling delivers his Pre-Budget Report next Monday. ... What do you want from the pre-Budget report? Tories cut spending pledge Slash public sector pay to allow tax cuts -

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url

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