Make an application for registration for vat to turn into a vat registered trader
In case you have crossed the threshold limit or wish to be a part of the vat or value added tax system then you will need to make an application for registration for vat to turn into a vat registered trader. When you finally turn into a vat registered trader you will then be empowered to reclaim vat paid in another eu country and thereby lower your costs as well as enhance your business cash flow.
Several eu countries like the UK, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Germany, etc have moved over to vat for taxing goods and services. Vat is thus followed even while trading between member eu countries. In case you have started a fresh business in the UK and also have touched ?70,000 pounds in taxable sales in the past 1 year then you can definitely apply for vat registration with the HM Revenue and Customs or hmrc department. You may also apply before this threshold limit is achieved if you sell your services or goods to mostly vat registered traders. Vat registration can be achieved as being an individual, partnership, company, trust, etc as deemed fit by the hmrc department.
However, once you make an application for vat registration your costs could increase slightly, and when you sell your goods and services locally in the UK at the retail level then you could choose to remain outside vat should you only sell vat exempt goods. However, if you try to artificially make an effort to separate your enterprise activities simply to remain away from system of vat then the hmrc vat department may not take your actions lightly in case you are discovered doing precisely the same. There are many advantages of entering the vat system since it will avoid the problem of double taxation by allowing you to reclaim vat already paid on services or goods in another country too.
The whole process for registration for vat is pretty simple but if you are not sure about yourself then you definitely should simply appoint an expert vat agent to handle all vat matters. The hmrc vat department offers several vat online services including applications for registration for vat. You are able to make an application for vat using your vat agent too provided you inform the department of your choosing. Once you apply for vat registration then this process of approving the application typically takes between 10 to 30 days. Fo the time being you can continue issuing regular invoices to your clients. However, during that period you will need to take into account applicable vat rates and re-issue those invoices issued after the application so that your clients can reclaim vat from their end.
Once your application is eligible you will receive your distinct vat registration number and may need to display it on all vat documents including your vat invoices, vat returns, and vat refunds. You will probably need to issue a vat invoice that separately shows all vat rates applied in that invoice together with your vat no at the very top. You will need to provide a summary of all vat paid and collected in your vat returns that will have to be filed periodically as required by the hmrc vat department. In case you have already paid vat on products or services in another eu country then you can apply for vat reclaim once you are an official vat registered trader.
Vat registration is a straightforward online process that needs to be done first if you want to turn into a vat registered trader in the UK. You can easily fill the web based vat registration form and submit it to your hmrc vat department whenever you apply for registration for vat.