HomeVAT Returns

VAT Returns

UK VAT Returns

The UK VAT returns are generally submitted once in a month or once in three months. However, most VAT returns are done quarterly. If your business’s annual VAT liability is over GBP 2.3 million then you have to make an account on the last day of every second month and third month of every quarter. After registration, a business is assigned to any of the three VAT stagger groups which determine the VAT quarters and the deadline for submission. The UK Vat returns have been done electronically since 2012.

The VAT Return Mainly Records Things For The Financial Period Like:
  • Total sales and purchases
  • The VAT amount you owe
  • The VAT amount you can claim for refund
  • Your VAT refund amount from HMRC

Please note that you have to submit your UK VAT Returns even if you don’t have any VAT to pay or claim for a refund.

If you trade a foregin company in UK which is not established in the UK you should submit the VAT registration application to: HMRC Non Established Taxable Persons Unit (NETPU) HM Revenue & Customs, Ruby House, 8 Ruby Place, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB10 1ZP.

If you are a non-established business owner and you use an agent like Meru Accounting to register on your behalf, then they will register your company online or with a local VAT Registration Unit. If you are a non european business owner you can appoint a remote tax agent who will work as your fiscal representative and will help you with any tax returns, tax interest or penalties due.

Frequency Of Filing
If you are a regular repayment trader like a Frequent exporter, you can request for the monthly VAT return. HMRC also asks businesses for advanced monthly payments, which are deducted from quarterly VAT returns in the UK, VAT returns do not follow the calendar quarter. You can choose your quarterly period.

Information Required From The Client

  • Date of issue
  • A sequential number
  • VAT number
  • The full address of the customer
  • Description of the services
  • Details of goods
  • Date of the supply
  • The taxable value of the good
  • Date of issue
  • Details of discounts excluding VAT
  • The amount of VAT
  • Details to VAT exemption
  • Reverse charge details
  • Self-billing reference
  • Reference to any margin if applicable details of mode of transport of goods
  • The gross value of the supplied goods

Due Date Of Filing

The UK VAT return submission deadline is available on your HMRC account. However, the general rule is that the due date to submit VAT returns is the 7th day of the month after the reporting period. If the due date falls on a bank holiday, the due date is moved to the previous working day.

UK VAT Refunds

The tax authorities automatically do VAT refunds to the bank account of your company. It takes 10 – 15 days to get a refund. The tax authorities sometimes carry an audit before accepting returns.
You need a UK bank account to get your refunds via bank transfer. If you do not have one, HMRC will issue a cheque, or you need to open a UK bank account. The tax authorities may ask additional questions or carry an audit before accepting a repayment.

VAT Penalties In The UK

In general, there is no penalty for a late VAT return if the payment is made on time. However, if you miss one return, a warning called “Surcharge Liability Notice” may be initiated. In case the Surcharge Liability Notice has not met, a surcharge of 2% of the VAT due will be charged. The penalty will increase to 15% if you delay further.

Our Process

 we make the VAT return procedure smooth and hassle-free.
After you send us the required documents according to the checklist, we follow some steps to make the procedure flawless and hassle-free for you