Your business has agreed that some employees will become homeworkers and has provided laptops to assist them. What VAT issues must you consider with these laptops? John Craig discusses the implications. Homeworking If you provide your employees with a computer and there is no business use, the tax you pay to the supplier is not...

Can we submit monthly VAT returns? Q. We struggle to pay our quarterly VAT returns on time because we use the VAT money for other business expenses before it becomes due. Would HMRC allow us to complete monthly returns to help our cash flow? A. Unfortunately not. A business can only submit monthly returns if...

Does the name on the invoice matter? Q. I am the finance director of a large company and have just discovered that hotel bills we pay for in relation to our sales staff working away from home are always made out to the individual employee and not the company. Does this create an input tax...

You have identified a new business opportunity that you want to keep separate from your main business. What should you consider regarding your VAT recovery if you don’t want to register straightaway? VAT expert John Craig advises. You can voluntarily register for VAT at any time if you are either making or intend to make...

If you are a businesses involved in the supply of construction services, from 1st October 2019, you will need to change how you account for VAT. This is when the Construction Services Domestic Reverse Charge (CSDRC) is introduced, VAT expert John Craig takes a closer look. If you are a supplier making a supply of...

In this article we answer some well-constructed questions on the issue of reduced and zero-rated VAT on building projects. If you are involved in the construction industry, deliver trades and services or are planning a new building project you will know just how complex the issue of VAT and zero-rating can be. This article poses...

As a retailer, it is very likely that you will on occasion run special offers and promotions to boost sales, but what do you need to consider in order to avoid unexpected VAT consequences? JRW’s Bob Johnstone provides you with some good advice. Correct amount Normally VAT is due on the price charged if that...

VAT rules for cars used in your business are notoriously strict but for some types of motor running expenses, they are surprisingly generous. John Craig explains what are they and how can you take maximum advantage of them? Except in the rare situation that you can prove to HMRC that a car is used 100%...

Last month, the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) published its long overdue report on modernising the VAT system. The report suggests that significantly reducing the VAT threshold could bring in an additional £1.5 billion revenue each year but this might this lead to an unexpected and nasty surprise for smaller businesses as John Craig explains...

You want to provide your staff with uniforms in keeping with your firm’s corporate image and buy clothing that is suitable to be worn at work, but what is the position regarding claiming the VAT back, and what happens if you give the clothing to your staff? Bob Johnstone investigates. The fact that employees can...