VAT returns and Making Tax Digital, handled
Registration, the right scheme for your business, and quarterly VAT returns filed through MTD-compatible software.
Do you need to register for VAT?
You must register when your VAT-taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or if you expect it to go over that amount in the next 30 days alone. Some businesses register voluntarily below the threshold to reclaim VAT on costs. We check which option is better for you.
Choosing the right scheme
The scheme you use can make a real difference to your cash flow and the VAT you pay. We compare the options with your figures:
- Standard accounting: VAT on invoices issued and received in each quarter
- Cash accounting: VAT only when your customers pay you, which helps cash flow
- Flat Rate Scheme: a fixed percentage of turnover, simpler for some small businesses
- Annual accounting: one return a year with regular payments on account
- Retail schemes: for shops that sell a mix of standard, reduced and zero-rated goods
Making Tax Digital
All VAT-registered businesses must keep digital records and file returns through MTD-compatible software. We set up Xero or QuickBooks, connect it to HMRC and file each return for you, normally due one month and seven days after the end of the quarter.
Sector-specific VAT
VAT rules for hot takeaway food, eat-in meals, mixed retail goods and overseas online sales are where most mistakes happen. We know these areas well and check your returns with them in mind.
Switching is easier than you think
Free consultation
30 minutes in our office, by phone or video. No obligation.
Fixed quote
A clear monthly price in writing within one working day.
We handle the switch
We contact your old accountant and HMRC for you.
Ongoing support
Deadline reminders, regular check-ins and the same people every time.
Common questions
What is the VAT registration threshold?
The threshold is £90,000 of VAT-taxable turnover in a rolling 12-month period. If you go over it, you have 30 days to register.
Is takeaway food standard-rated?
Hot takeaway food and everything eaten on your premises is standard-rated at 20%. Many cold takeaway foods are zero-rated, but there are exceptions, such as confectionery and soft drinks. We help you set up your till so items are coded correctly.
Can I reclaim VAT on purchases before I registered?
In many cases, yes. You can usually reclaim VAT on goods you still hold that were bought in the four years before registration, and on services from the previous six months.
Ready to talk?
Book a free 30-minute consultation in our Green Lanes office, by phone or on video. In English or Turkish.