VAT Advice and Services

Our team of experts has experience of working as HM Revenue and Customs officers and as such are able to help you understand the ever changing case law, legislation and guidance in order to help you stay compliant.

VAT planning helps you make the most of every transaction

Identify the best time to register and the most suitable VAT accounting method for your business
Develop good procedures and rigorous systems

We will guide you through your return submissions and errors, and can even negotiate with HMRC on your behalf.

We will carry out a regular VAT 'health check' of your business to make sure you don't pay unnecessary VAT and you recover the maximum amount you can.

Different because you are

We pride ourselves in providing individually tailored services to our clients. Whatever your aspirations and priorities in business and life, we will be by your side with expert advice from local specialists. It is because your needs are unique, that the solutions we provide are distinct and personalised to you.

We can help with all aspects of VAT planning, but have particular expertise in:

Land, property and construction
Business transfers
The flat rate scheme and partial exemption
Imports, exports and trade on both EU and an international level
Charities and academies
VAT assurance visits, penalties and voluntary disclosures
Financial services

Get in touch to speak to our team or to book a consultation with our VAT specialist Rob Geary.

Get in touch

VAT Advice and Services Articles

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Timely intervention prevented our client paying £1000s in VAT

Case study

1 min read

FAQs

Why might I need Tax Investigation Cover?

Lovewell Blake Tax Investigation Cover will pay our professional fees for dealing with an HMRC investigation or enquiry.Our cover is market leading and there is no excess to pay. In the event of a tax investigation or enquiry we can handle everything including all correspondence with HMRC and even host meetings with the Inspector on your behalf.

Even if you have done nothing wrong it can take time to prove this to HMRC and deal with their letters and enquiries. Many of our clients value the peace of mind TIC provides. See our dedicated Tax Investigation Cover page for more information and to subscribe online.

Can Lovewell Blake handle the international aspects of my affairs?

Lovewell Blake is a member of HLB International. HLB International is a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms, comprising member firms in 158 countries. HLB International member firms offer audit, accounting, tax and business advisory services. HLB International is a leading mid-tier accounting network. Through our HLB sister firms, we have access to vast expertese all over the world and regularly work with these firms to provide a joined up, international strategy to many of our clients.

Do I need to register for VAT?

If your business is expected to turnover £85,000 of VATable turnover in the next 12 month period, you will need to register for VAT and start charging VAT on your supplies. You can reclaim VAT incurred on relevant expenditure and you pay the balance of VAT collected and recovered over to HMRC.

If your sales are standard rated for VAT, you will be charging an additional 20% of VAT on top of the invoice value. For customers who are not VAT registered themselves, this will make your invoices 20% higher. If your customers are VAT registered themselves (i.e. other businesses) they will be recovering the VAT themselves so your charges will not be higher.

If all or the majority of your customers are VAT registered, you may wish to voluntarily register for VAT even if your turnover is less than £85,000. You would then be able to recover VAT in your expenditure and as your customers recover any VAT you charge them, your invoices are effectively no more expensive.

Get in touch to discuss these options with one of our VAT specialists or local accountants.

Change to partial exemption VAT treatment

25.06.2020

Rob Geary

VAT

2 min read

The CJEU has considered a VAT case concerning the recovery of overhead VAT costs for a partially exempt business who supplied goods by way of hire purchase (the taxable supply) and the supply of credit (the exempt supply).

VAT deferment - direct debit reminder!

22.06.2020

Rob Geary

VAT

1 min read

If you are VAT registered and took advantage of the VAT payment deferral arrangements you will need to reinstate your direct debit.

VAT alert: Domestic reverse charge on building and construction services

08.06.2020

Rob Geary

VAT

4 min read

If your VAT-registered business provides construction services to another business you will no longer need to charge them VAT.

Time to consider whether to defer payment of tax bills falling due

11.05.2020

James Shipp

Tax

3 min read

VAT, PAYE and Corporation Tax payments falling due can be deferred – but should you.

VAT alert - Welfare services

02.04.2020

Rob Geary

VAT

2 min read

A recent Court of Appeal case has decided against two organisations that provided day care services.

Making Tax Digital - the next phase

28.02.2020

Rob Geary

2 min read

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT was introduced on 1 April 2019 for all business trading above £85,000 of taxable supplies, with an extension until 1 October 2019 for some businesses eg groups.

VAT alert - Digital publications

29.01.2020

Rob Geary

VAT

2 min read

A recent Upper Tier Tribunal case has resulted in digital newspapers being judged the same as hard copy printed newspapers and therefore zero rated. Prior to the case, digital publications were seen by HMRC as standard rated.

VAT Alert: EU VAT 'quick fix' simplification changes to cross-border trading

11.12.2019

Rob Geary

VAT

2 min read

From 1 January 2020, the European Commission are introducing a number of ‘quick fixes’ aiming to simplify and harmonise EU VAT rules regarding intra-EU supplies of goods.