Can't find what you need?

Call us on 020 7111 7761

Business tax advice
  • Business tax advice books
  • Ideal for small business owners
  • Written by qualified accountants
Legal document templates
  • Document templates to download and customise
  • Business, Employment and Health & Safety
  • Save money on legal fees
  • Suitable for use in England & Wales
Online Company formation
  • Easy online company formation service
  • Ready to trade in 3 hours
  • Documents, Company Certificate, Share Certificates all included

Special VAT Accounting Schemes

There's not just one way of recording and paying your VAT, there's several alternative VAT Accounting Schemes that could save you time and money.

Some of the schemes are for specific trade sectors and others to deal with more general business issues. Some of these schemes can be used together.

Cash Accounting Scheme

The Cash Accounting Scheme allows you to account for VAT only on the invoices you've received payment for, but you can only claim VAT on your purchases if you've paid for those purchases.

Annual Accounting Scheme

The Annual VAT Accounting Scheme allows you to make a yearly VAT return rather than a quarterly one, and to make interim payments before paying the balance (or claiming a refund) when your annual return has been submitted.

Flat Rate Scheme

The Flat Rate VAT Scheme allows you to calculate your VAT payment as a fixed percentage of your total turnover. The percentage you use depends on your type of business.

Retail VAT Accounting Scheme

If you sell high quantities of relatively inexpensive items to the general public, you may be able to use a Retail VAT Scheme.
If you're using the Retail VAT scheme you don't need to record VAT separately in your accounts for each sale so it can save you a lot of time with your record keeping.

VAT Margin scheme

If you sell second hand goods, art, antiques etc the VAT Margin Scheme allows you to account for VAT only on the difference between the price you paid for an item and the price at which you sell it - your margin.