Your business leases cars for your employees, paying VAT on the monthly charges. But are you correctly claiming input tax and what happens if you return the vehicle before the end of the agreement? Or if you receive a rebate of your rental payments? VAT Expert John Craig explains. If the car has business and...

During routine checks, HMRC looks for mistakes which businesses commonly make. One such area is the VAT treatment of travel expenses. What should you check to ensure your VAT returns are correct? One error often made by businesses that provide professional services involves passing on their employees’ travel expenses to their customers. The following example...

You are planning improvements to your business premises; you will be using individual contractors for the work as they provided you with the best quotes. However, none of them is VAT registered which could mean you paying hidden VAT. Why and how can you reclaim it? Elaine Wight advises. With inflation rising, everyone is keen...

Is it possible to move to monthly VAT returns to get the cash in quicker? VAT Technician Elaine Wight explains. If most of your sales are zero-rated, then it’s likely that you usually get a VAT repayment every quarter. But having to wait for that VAT refund after the end of a quarter can cause...

The first step towards alignment of VAT and direct tax penalties was due to take place in just two months but the government recently announced a delay. What’s the full story? Audrey Rankine takes a closer look. HMRC’s original timetable for the harmonisation of its late filing penalty and late payment interest regimes across most...

Your business has mobile phone contracts and hires vehicles for employee business trips. How do you check that you are not being overcharged VAT following HMRC’s change of rules on termination fees and compensation payments? VAT expert John Craig takes a closer look. New legislation for early termination fees and compensation payments took effect on...

HMRC is changing its policy on termination payments. As a result, some businesses will be entitled to a VAT refund while others will owe more. What’s the full story? VAT expert John Craig takes a closer look. In September 2020, HMRC changed its policy on one-off payments made in connection with a contract, e.g. early...

Can a director take a company vehicle out of the business to sell? Q. A company director bought a car through his business on finance, it has been a company vehicle for a few years. The finance is now paid off, and he would like to sell it, but as the business is VAT registered,...

Is VAT payable on cash stolen by employee? Q. We are retailers and have discovered that a member of staff has been understating our sales by taking, say, £30 cash from a customer, and only recording the sale as £25 in the till. Must we account for VAT on the £5 shortfall? Does it make...

Your son’s rugby club has approached you regarding sponsorship support to pay for his team’s kit. A member of the club says that if you put the cost through your business then you’ll get a tax deduction and can reclaim the VAT. Are they correct? John Craig explains the position. The tax position for sponsorship...