It’s common for directors and employees to buy things for the company in their own name or to use their personal Amazon account for convenience. The problem is that the invoice is then addressed to them and not the company. Can you claim the VAT back?  VAT Expert John Craig provides the answer. The key...

If a business can’t pay the VAT it owes on time, a new time-to-pay option could provide some breathing space. Who can take advantage and how can it be applied for?  Naomi Swan explains. If a business cannot pay its VAT on time and owes less than £20,000, it is now possible to set up...

If your business pays for road fuel, it can recover the VAT element relating to business use. There are different methods for working out the amount reclaimable. Which is the best for your business? Our VAT expert John Craig outlines some options in this article. VAT incurred on the cost of road fuel used by...

Is there a new workplace pension scheme? Q. We’ve heard that employers are now able to enrol their employees into a different type of workplace pension scheme. Is this correct? A. Previously, employers were only able to offer their employees defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit pension schemes. However, following changes brought about by the...

A VAT-registered rugby club will be paid £15,000 each year from an insurance company in return for the right to purchase the club’s entitlement to tickets for international matches. Is this subject to VAT?  Gail Trojan discusses below. VAT is defined as a tax on the supply of goods or services made in the UK...

You have planning permission to convert an empty commercial property into flats. You haven’t decided whether to let or sell the property when the flats are completed. What is the position relating to VAT for both renting or selling?  Tax expert John Craig discusses. The VAT position for converting a property for rent or for...

You live on a farm and have decided to convert a barn on part of the land into a self-contained dwelling and live there when it is completed. Building work will be carried out by external contractors. What are the VAT issues that you should be aware of?  Tax expert John Craig explains further. The...

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...