On this page you’ll find everything you need to know about UK VAT registration, Returns, Tax Representation and your legal obligations within the United Kingdom.
We offer a full representation service as your Tax Agent
Fill out simple forms and provide the required Identity documents and we'll do the rest
In the UK we file VAT returns Quarterly, simply send us your VAT report from your marketplace and we'll do the rest.
We act as your Tax Agent in the UK for handling all of your VAT obligations and assisting with audits and investigations where needed.
Support the way you need it. Our professional staff are ready to help when needed. We can arrange meetings with any of our offices around the globe.
In the UK you need to register for VAT if:
You may also need to register for VAT separately in other EU countries if:
You need to register for VAT in the UK if:
You need to register for VAT in the UK if:
You may also need to register for VAT separately in other EU countries if:
| Rate | Type |
| 20% | Standard |
| 5% | Reduced |
| 0% | Zero |
Registration in the UK is generally one of the fastest in Europe, using the online application and providing the correct documents immediately will normally produce a VAT number in under 4 weeks unless further investigations are taken, further info is normally required for businesses outside of the EU to register.
There are a number of scenario’s that a business would be required to register for VAT in the UK which include;
All UK VAT returns are filed quarterly,
Once registered, a business will be assigned to a “VAT stagger group”. The group assigned will determine the month in which VAT quarters end and when payments and VAT returns are due for submission. The three stagger groups are as follows:
There are a number of different VAT schemes available in the UK which may or may not suit your business.
Usually, the amount of VAT you pay HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is the difference between your sales invoices and purchase invoices. You have to report these figures and pay any money to HMRC even if the invoices haven’t been paid.
With the Cash Accounting Scheme you:
The VAT margin schemes taxes the difference between what you paid for an item and what you sold it for, rather than the full selling price. You pay VAT at 16.67% (one-sixth) on the difference.
You can choose to use a margin scheme when you sell:
You can’t use a margin scheme for:
The amount of VAT a business pays or claims back from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is usually the difference between the VAT charged by the business to customers and the VAT the business pays on their own purchases.
With the Flat Rate Scheme:
Usually, VAT-registered businesses submit their VAT Returns and payments to HM Revenue and Customs 4 times a year.
With the Annual Accounting Scheme you:
When you submit your VAT Return you either:
The scheme would not suit your business if you regularly reclaim VAT because you’ll only be able to get 1 refund a year (when you submit the VAT Return).
You can join the scheme if your estimated VAT taxable turnover is £1.35 million or less.
Obtaining a VAT number in the United Kingdom is normally quick, with the average business being VAT registered in under 4 weeks assuming the HMRC don’t want additional information or perform additional checks.
At this moment in time it is still unclear what changes will be implemented as part of the deal or no deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union. As of 1st January 2021 the UK will be classed as a Non-European country and have to follow similar import/export procedures into Europe as other countries such as America and China.
Some countries are likely to require UK businesses to appoint a Fiscal Representative in their country but nothing is set in stone.
All of our packages include registration and VAT returns, plus other additional services
