Coronavirus: how do I defer my subsequent VAT cost?

When you’re struggling financially attributable to coronavirus, you’ll be able to defer your subsequent VAT cost

Some small enterprise homeowners are nonetheless confused as as to if they need to full their VAT return, in line with MHA MacIntyre Hudson.

When you’re a UK VAT registered enterprise and have a VAT cost due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020, you’ll be able to decide to defer the cost till 31 March 2021 or pay it as regular.

You don’t want to inform HMRC that you simply’re deferring your VAT cost, however you continue to must submit your return in time to your unique date. Those that make their funds by direct debit ought to contact their financial institution to cancel them in good time.

Alison Horner, oblique tax associate at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, mentioned:

“The VAT deferral scheme is automated however this reality has lulled some companies into considering they don’t want to finish a VAT return. It’s simple to assume that is now not needed, particularly because the nationwide shutdown means many companies can’t bodily get to their places of work or have furloughed the related employees.

“Whereas VAT returns could also be digital, companies nonetheless usually must look by paper invoices to get the knowledge they want. Companies could assume authorities understands this, and don’t anticipate a VAT return given they’re advising people to work at home.”

She stresses that it’s essential to submit your return or HMRC received’t know the way a lot VAT to defer.

“If firms don’t submit their return, two weeks after its due date, they are going to be given a central evaluation which is successfully HMRC’s guess at their VAT invoice. It’s inadvisable to just accept a central evaluation if it places your VAT legal responsibility decrease than it could have been should you had crammed out your return –that is doubtlessly fraud.”

The federal government states that funds made on the finish of the deferral interval shall be made as regular. Extra particulars shall be launched on this quickly.

I can’t get to into work – how can I entry invoices?

Horner says that the perfect answer can be to submit an estimated VAT return, however HMRC aren’t so eager.

“Utilizing this technique requires prior authorisation from HMRC and sadly preliminary enquiries recommend it’s at the moment immune to this answer. If this stance is confirmed within the subsequent few days and weeks it could be a disgrace, and till we’ve clarification, we are able to’t suggest an estimated VAT return as a fail-safe answer.”

In case you are in monetary misery with excellent tax liabilities, search assist from the Covid-19 enterprise helpline by ringing 0800 024 1222 (Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm). For future funds, it’s greatest to name nearer your VAT return date.

For these nonetheless paying on their anticipated date, the taxman says that they are going to be processing reclaims and refunds as regular throughout this era.

Learn extra

HMRC’s new digital VAT guidelines – 6 steps for submitting tax returns accurately