What we do / Tax / VAT

Making VAT more straightforward

Practical, commercial advice across the UK VAT regime.

VAT

At Burgess Hodgson, our VAT specialists have many years’ experience of dealing with all aspects of the VAT system.

Our holistic advice spanning the UK VAT regime includes some of the more complex areas of VAT planning. Our VAT experts work alongside a wider team with everyday ‘real world’ experience of VAT compliance.

Our team offers specialist support across the UK VAT regime including :

  • Registrations

    Registrations

    VAT registrations and advice on VAT schemes such as the Cash Basis or Flat Rate Schemes

  • Compliance

    Compliance

    VAT Compliance including VAT return submission and advice regarding Making Tax Digital Compliance

  • Property Planning

    Property Planning

    VAT planning for property transactions including new build developments, conversions and other property projects

  • International Advice

    International Advice

    VAT advice for international transactions in goods and services

  • Sector-specific Advice

    Sector-specific VAT advice including healthcare, fintech and life sciences.

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FAQs

When is a business required to register for VAT?
The current VAT registration threshold is £90,000. When a business makes taxable supplies exceeding £90,000, it will be required to register for VAT. There is a one month grace period before registration is effective – so if a business exceeds the threshold on 31 January it must become VAT registered from 1 March.
Is it possible to recover VAT on expenditure on a new build residential property development?
This is a complex area, but it should be possible to have a VAT recovery position on expenditure in relation to new build residential development. We recommend that you ask us for specialist VAT advice.
What schemes are available to simplify VAT administration?
For very small businesses, the Flat Rate VAT scheme offer significant simplification. The scheme lets you pay VAT based on a fixed percentage of your business income rather than undertaking full VAT calculations. The Cash Basis scheme enables VAT to be accounted for based on cash receipts and payments rather than invoices, which can provide a useful tool to manage the cash flow implications of VAT.
Is it possible to recover VAT on costs incurred before VAT registration?
It is possible to recover VAT on some expenditure incurred before VAT registration. There can be some complexity to this, but generally VAT on services provided in the six months before registration can be recovered. For goods this period is extended to four years, but the goods need to be held at the time of VAT registration.
Is income from Airbnb / holiday lets subject to VAT?
Income from holiday let properties is potentially subject to VAT. If income in one holiday let business exceeds the VAT registration threshold then VAT registration is required. A holiday let business in this context can include multiple holiday let properties held by the same person.