Value added tax (VAT)
| From | 1 Jan 2010 | 1 Dec 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 17.5% | 15% | |
| VAT fraction | 7/47 | 3/23 | |
| Reduced rate | 5% | 5% | |
| Current Turnover Limits | |||
| Registration - last 12 months or next 30 days over | £70,000 from 1 April 2010 | ||
| Deregistration - next 12 months under | £68,000 from 1 April 2010 | ||
| Annual Accounting Scheme | 1,350,000 | ||
| Cash Accounting Scheme | 1,350,000 | ||
| Flat Rate Scheme | £150,000 |
Change of standard rate and impact on flat rate scheme
The standard rate of VAT returned to 17.5% from 1 January 2010. The flat rates were amended on 1 January 2010 to take account of this change.
Tour operators' margin scheme
From 1 January 2010, some amendments have been made to the tour operators' margin scheme to ensure full compliance with EU law.
Partial exemption
From 1 April 2010 the basis on which businesses calculate the amount of VAT they can recover will be simplified.
Option to tax
From 1 April 2010 amendments will be made to simplify the option to tax regime.
Switching to VAT online services
Those with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more (exclusive of VAT) on 31 December 2009 have received a letter from HMRC explaining that VAT returns must be submitted online and VAT paid electronically for all returns starting on or after 1 April 2010. Included with the letter was a guide explaining how to register and enrol for VAT online services. The requirement to submit VAT returns online and pay electronically also applies to those who register or should have registered for VAT on or after 1 April 2010, regardless of turnover.
