Our checklist for completing a UK VAT return below provides details on what information is to be included on the UK VAT return.
1.VAT due on sales and outputs
VAT due on sales and outputs is the total amount of VAT charged on sales for goods and services in the period covered by the return. UK VAT registered businesses should also include VAT payable to HMRC for other supplies outside of normal revenue for example a sale of an asset.
2.VAT due on acquisitions from other EU countries
The business needs to calculate the total value of the goods purchased from vendors located in other EU countries for the period covered by the VAT return. The value of any services related to those goods should also be included.
If the business acquires zero-rated goods there is no requirement to pay acquisition tax on these items and the value of these goods should be excluded from the calculation.
Acquisitions should be included on the return covering the date in which the acquisition actually occurred.
You may also be entitled to reclaim this amount as input VAT – see box 4.
3.Total VAT due
The total VAT due simply refers to the amount of VAT due to HMRC and can be calculated by adding the VAT due on sales and outputs and the VAT due on acquisitions from other EU countries.
4.VAT reclaimable on your purchases
This is the VAT charged on purchases made by the business and must be supported by a proper VAT invoice. You can also re-claim Vat on the EU acquisitions declared in Box 2; these figures must correspond.
A VAT invoice must contain the following:
- Suppliers name address and VAT registration number
- The businesses name and address to whom the goods or services are supplied (only business costs can be reclaimed)
- A unique invoice number
- Date of issue and date of supply if this is different to the date of the invoice
- A description of the goods and services
5.Net VAT to pay to HMRC or reclaim
This is calculated automatically from the above boxes. It deducts box 4 from box 3. If box 3 is higher then you will owe HMRC if box 4 is higher you will be due a repayment.
6.Total sales excluding
Enter the total figure for sales (excluding VAT) made during the period covered by the VAT return.
7.Total purchases excluding VAT
Enter the total figure for purchases (excluding VAT) for the period.
8.The total value of goods supplied to other EU countries
You only need to fill in this section, if the business has supplied goods to another EU country. Include the total value of goods supplied to another EU country and services related to those goods.
9.The total value of goods acquired from other EU countries
You only need to fill in this section, if the business has acquired goods from another EU country. Enter the total value of goods received from VAT-registered suppliers in another EU country and services related to those goods.
10.VAT rate change
If the VAT rate changes during the VAT return period then the business should complete its VAT return in the normal way.
How difficult is it to complete a VAT Return?
The rules and regulations which govern the treatment of VAT can be very complex.
You need to be aware that:
- VAT can be charged at different rates
- Input VAT cannot always be claimed
- The penalties can be quite severe if you get it wrong
- There are specialist VAT schemes available to some businesses:
- Flat rate scheme
- Cash accounting scheme
- Annual accounting scheme
- Retail schemes
Further guidance on completion of the VAT return can be found on the GOV.UK website.
If you would like assistance with your VAT return or alternatively would like us to complete this on your behalf, then please get in touch.