Grass seed is zero-rated, but turf is standard rated.
Tag Archives: vat-planning
VAT Success Stories
Investment company
HMRC denied claims for input tax incurred on costs relating to the potential acquisition of an overseas business and threatened to deregister the plc as it was not, currently, making taxable supplies. Additionally, HMRC contended that even if VAT registration was appropriate, the input tax incurred did not relate to taxable supplies and was therefore blocked.
We were able to persuade HMRC that our client had a right to be VAT registered because it intended to make taxable supplies (supplies with a place of supply outside the UK which would have been taxable if made in the UK) and that the input tax was recoverable as it related to these intended taxable supplies (management charges to the acquired business). This is a hot topic at the moment, but we were able to eventually demonstrate, with considerable and detailed evidence that there was a true intention.
This meant that UK VAT registration was correct and input tax running into hundreds of thousands of pounds incurred in the UK was repaid to our client.
Restaurant
We identified and submitted a claim for a West End restaurant for nearly £300,000 overpaid output tax. We finally agreed the repayment with HMRC after dealing with issues such as the quantum of the claim and unjust enrichment.
Developer
Our property developing client specialises in very high-end residential projects in exclusive parts of London. They built a dwelling using an existing façade and part of a side elevation. We contended that it was a new build (zero rated sale and no VAT on construction costs and full input tax recovery on other costs). HMRC took the view that it was work on an existing dwelling so that 5% applied and input tax was not recoverable. After site visits, detailed plans, current and historical photograph evidence HMRC accepted the holy grail of new build. The overall cost of the project was tens of millions.
Charity
A charity client was supplying services to the NHS. The issue was whether they were standard rated supplies of staff or exempt medical services. We argued successfully that, despite previous rulings, the supplies were exempt, which benefited all parties. Our client was able to deregister from VAT, but not only that, we persuaded HMRC that input tax previously claimed could be kept. This was a rather pleasant surprise outcome. We also avoided any penalties and interest so that VAT did not represent a cost to the charity in any way. If the VAT was required to be repaid to HMRC it is likely that the charity would have been wound up.
Shoot
A group of friends met to shoot game as a hobby. They made financial contributions to the syndicate in order to take part. HMRC considered that this was a business activity and threatened to go back over 40 years and assess for output tax on the syndicate’s takings which amounted to many hundreds of thousands of pounds and would have meant the shoot could not continue. We appealed the decision to retrospectively register the syndicate.
After a four-year battle HMRC settled on the steps of the Tribunal. We were able to demonstrate that the syndicate was run on a cost sharing basis and is not “an activity likely to be carried out by a private undertaking on a market, organised within a professional framework and generally performed in the interest of generating a profit.” – A happy client.
Chemist
We assisted a chemist client who, for unfortunate reasons, had not been able to submit proper VAT returns for a number of years. We were able to reconstruct the VAT records which showed a repayment of circa £500,000 of VAT was due. We successfully negotiated with HMRC and assisted with the inspection which was generated by the claim.
The message? Never accept a HMRC decision, and seek good advice!
VAT: Types of legal entities
VAT Basics
What types of entities can be a ‘taxable person’?
The definition of a taxable person in the VAT Directive is any person or body “who, independently, carries out in any place any economic activity, whatever the purpose or results”. Economic activity in the UK broadly means any business activity. I consider this definition below.
So, what is a person or body?
In practice, a taxable person or body is generally a business, sole trader or professional. Examples of types of legal entities are a:
- Sole proprietor
- Partnership
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- Limited company (limited by shares)
- Private company (limited by guarantee)
- Public Limited Company (PLC) – a company registered under the Companies Act (1980)
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- Private unlimited company
- Club or Association
- Unincorporated Association
- Co-operative Society (Co-Op)
- Community Benefit Society (BenCom)
- Trust
- Charity
- Not For Profit (NPF) entity
- Right To Manage company (RTM)
- Financial Mutual
- Societas Europaea (SE)
- Co-operative or community benefit society
- “Section 33” body, eg; Local Authorities, Fire and Rescue Authorities, Police, Lighthouses, the BBC etc – VAT Act 1995 s33. These bodies have different VAT rules, and they may not necessarily be a taxable person
Each type of entity or structure is subject to separate rules; from; governance, direct tax, reporting, accounting, risks, costs, benefits, responsibilities to legal rights and obligations etc. However, from a VAT perspective, the VAT legislation applies equally to all taxable persons.
Two or more corporate bodies may apply to register as a single taxable person (VAT group) if they can meet certain conditions.
A corporate body can apply to register each division separately if it:
- is organised in divisions
- carries on its business in divisions
- can meet certain conditions
What are not taxable persons?
Private individuals are not generally involved in business and will therefore not be classed as taxable persons.
What is business?
There is considerable case law on what constitutes ‘business’ for VAT purposes. I have written about this issue many times, as it is a fundamental issue in the tax.
The following articles consider such case law:
Wakefield College
Longbridge
Babylon Farm
A Shoot
Y4 Express
Lajvér Meliorációs Nonprofit Kft. And Lajvér Csapadékvízrendezési Nonprofit Kft
Healthwatch Hampshire CIC
Pertempts Limited
Northumbria Healthcare
Registration
A guide to VAT registration here.
VAT: EORI – What is it? Do I need one?
EORI is an acronym for Economic Operator Registration & Identification.
An EORI number is assigned to importers and exporters by HMRC (EOs) and is used in the process of customs entry declarations and customs clearance for both import and export shipments moving to or from the UK.
What is the EORI number for?
An EORI number is stored both nationally and on a central EU EORI database. The information it provides is used by customs authorities to exchange information, and to share information with government departments and agencies. It is used for statistical and security purposes.
A business may need to demonstrate to HMRC that it has carried out proper due diligence in certain cases.
Who needs an EORI number?
You will require an EORI number if you are planning to import or export goods. EOs can be sole proprietors, partnerships, UK incorporated companies, registered charities, and overseas companies. However, private individuals bringing their own possessions to or from the UK do not need an EORI number. An EO does not need to be VAT registered to have an EORI number.
For VAT groups, each member who imports or exports goods needs an EORI number.
Format of the EORI number
VAT registered companies will see the EORI as an extension of their VAT number. Your VAT nine digit VAT number will be prefixed with “GB” and suffixed with “000”.
How do I apply for an EORI Number?
Non VAT registered companies can apply using this link – FORM C220
VAT registered companies can apply using this link – FORM C220A
Once completed, your form should be emailed to: eori@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
How long will my EORI application take?
The process is straightforward and EORI applications usually take up to three working days to process.
Please contact us if you have any issues with importing or exporting.
EORI checker
Gov.uk has provided a new tool to check a business’ EORI number. (This used to be an EU resource now not available due to Brexit).
Access
Who has access to an EORI number?
The general public can access limited data, When a business is notified of its EORI number, it will be asked whether it objects to this data being published on the site.
Weird things that have been taxed…
Things that have been taxed in the past
Revenue raising knows no bounds. Here are some things which have had their own specific tax. It is interesting to note that some taxation was intended to change behaviour, and some a result of stopping people’s indulgence. A brief view of what and where particular things were taxed:
Beards – Russia
Windows – UK
Body piercings – Arkansas US
Bricks UK
Salt – France
Champagne – Germany
Hats – UK
Candles – UK
Cow flatulence – Denmark
Playing Cards and dice – UK
Bagels (but not bread) – New York US
Fireplaces – UK
Tattoos – Arkansas US
Soap – UK
Illegal Drugs – Tennessee US
Google – France
Wig powder – UK
Unapproved baby names – Sweden
Not smoking cigarettes – China
Urine – Ancient Rome
Tethered hot air balloons – Kansas US
Cowardice – Knights could opt out fighting in wars by paying a tax called scutage – UK
Car Accidents – Missouri US
Political opponents’ land – Oliver Cromwell UK
Patterned wallpaper (but not plain white) – UK
Litigation – Tennessee US
Slave freedom – Ancient Rome
Modesty – women were not allowed to cover their breasts, and were taxed if they did – India
Belt buckles – Texas US
Robots – South Korea
Men not being married – Missouri US
Knowledge – UK
Clocks – UK
So now you know!
VAT: Construction Services Reverse Charge – New HMRC Manual
The Construction Reverse Charge (RC) background details here.
HMRC has recently published its VAT Reverse Charge for Building and Construction Services Manual.
It includes:
- how it works
- which services are covered
- the supplies of materials
- the supplies of labour and/or staff
- who needs to apply it
- practical issues such as invoicing and adjustments to consideration
- compliance issues
The contents of the new manual are:
- VATREVCON05000 – Data Protection
- VATREVCON10000 – Introduction: contents
- VATREVCON20000 – Scope of the construction reverse charge: contents
- VATREVCON30000 – How the construction reverse charge works: contents
- VATREVCON40000 – Compliance issues: contents
HMRC actions to counter tax avoidance
In the Spring Statement 2025 HMG announced a package of measures that will affect VAT and other taxes. The aim is to close the tax gap and raise over £1 billion in additional gross tax revenue per year by 2029‑30.
Anti-fraud
HMRC is expanding its counter-fraud capability to increase the number of annual charging decisions for the most harmful fraud by 20%. Additional criminal investigations is intended to deliver a strong deterrent. This will include tackling those who undermine legitimate trade and small business, fraud committed by the wealthy, fraud facilitated by those in large corporations, and by individuals and companies who make it possible for others to hide money offshore.
Snitching
There will be a new HMRC reward scheme for informants will be launched later this year. This will target serious non-compliance in large corporates, wealthy individuals, offshore and avoidance schemes. The new scheme will reward informants with compensation linked to a percentage of any tax taken as a result of their actions.
“Phoenixism”
HMRC, Companies House, and the Insolvency Service will deliver a joint plan to tackle those who use contrived insolvencies to evade tax and write off debts owed to others. This will include increasing the use of upfront payment demands, making more directors personally liable for company taxes, and increasing the number of enforcement sanctions.
Compliance
HMG will invest £87 million over the next five years in HMRC’s existing partnerships with private sector debt collection agencies to collect more unpaid tax debts. It will also invest £114 million over the next five years to recruit an additional 600 HMRC debt management staff. In addition, the Government will invest £100 million over the next five years to recruit an additional 500 HMRC compliance staff.
The government also published four consultations on:
- How HMRC can make better use of third‑party data to increase automation and close the tax gap.
- Proposals to strengthen HMRC’s ability to take action against those tax advisers who facilitate non‑compliance from their clients.
- A comprehensive package of measures to close in on promoters of marketed tax avoidance, whose contrived schemes leave their clients with unexpected tax bills.
- Options to simplify and strengthen HMRC’s inaccuracy and failure to notify penalties.
A VAT Did you know?
Oils and fats used for animal food is zero-rated, unless it is waste oil from a fish and chip shop – which is standard rated… even if it is used to feed animals.
VAT: Are hair transplants ‘medical care’? – The Advanced Hair Technology Ltd case
Latest from the courts
In the Advanced Hair Technology Ltd First-Tier Tribunal (FTT) case the issue was whether hair transplants are exempt supplies of medical care, or were they for ‘cosmetic’ purposes and consequently standard rated?
Background
Advanced Hair Technology Ltd (AHT) was a medical practice trading as The Farjo Hair Institute which specialised in hair restoration surgery. It treated conditions related to hair loss, in particular androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Dr Farjo who carried out the work is qualified is a medical practitioner with the Royal College of Surgeons. The output tax which HMRC deemed due was circa £2,500,000.
The sole issue was what AHT provided covered by the definition ‘medical care’?
Legislation
The VAT Act 1994, Schedule 9, Group 7, item 1 covers services which are for the primary purpose of protecting, restoring, or maintaining health: “medical care”.
Contentions
AHT argued that it was treating patients for medical conditions, as opposed to providing aesthetic surgery and consequently, its supplies were exempt. The appellant explained that several patients believed that hair loss had affected their self-confidence and so the surgery improved their overall health (which includes a mental health element). Furthermore, the surgery helps to protect the skin from future photodamage, minor trauma and thermal insult.
HMRC contended that none of the patients had any recorded prior psychiatric conditions, eg; depression or anxiety, nor had any stated that they were looking to benefit from the surgery beyond it improving their appearance and confidence. Additionally, no recipients of the treatment said that they were seeking any of the above physical protections.
Therefore, the treatment was a standard rated cosmetic procedure.
Decision
The meaning of ‘medical care’ was considered by the Court of Appeal in its decision in Mercy Global [2023] EWCA Civ 1073.
The court agreed with HMRC that a “principal purpose” test must be applied in all cases.
The evidence before the FTT was that by the age of 70 at least 80% of caucasian men suffer from hair loss as a result of AGA, and this is part of the normal process of aging. AGA is not considered a medical condition but rather a symptom.
AHT’s contention that the procedures serve a therapeutic purpose related to psychological issues was dismissed due to a lack of evidence from qualified practitioners. This reinforced the FTT’s view that the treatments were primarily cosmetic, rather than for medical reasons because altering one’s physical appearance was for aesthetic purposes.
The relevant supplies were therefore outside the exemption.
The appeal was dismissed.
Commentary
The judgment provides some guidance on the interpretation of the definition of medical care for the purposes of the exemption and follows similar recent cases which we covered here:
The concept of the “provision of medical care” does not include medical interventions carried out for a purpose other than that of diagnosing, treating and in so far as possible, curing diseases or health disorders and it is the purpose of the medical intervention rather than merely the qualifications of the person providing it that is key in determining the VAT liability.
There has been an ongoing debate as to what constitutes medical care. Over 20 years ago I was advising a large London clinic on this very point and much turned on whether patients’ mental health was improved by undergoing what many would regard as cosmetic procedures. We were somewhat handicapped in our arguments by the fact that many of the patients were lap dancers undergoing breast augmentation on the direction of the owner of a certain club…
It is worth remembering that not all services provided by a medically registered practitioner are exempt. The question of whether the medical care exemption is engaged in any given case will turn on the particular facts .
Interestingly, the judge here stated that the medical exemption may apply to some patients whose hair loss was a result of trauma caused by cancer treatment.
VAT Returns: A box-by-box guide
VAT Basics
Return boxes explained – what goes where? A general overview.
Box 1 VAT due in the period on sales and other outputs
The amount of VAT due on all goods and services supplied in the period covered by the return. This is output tax. The value of output tax may be affected by VAT:
- on credit notes issued
- when refunds are made
- on goods taken in part-exchange
- underdeclared or overdeclared on previous returns within certain de minimis
VAT may also be due on supplies outside the mainstream of a business, eg:
- fuel used for private motoring where VAT is accounted for using a scale charge
- the sale of stocks and assets
- goods taken out of the business for private use
- VAT due under a reverse charge
- supplies to staff
- gifts of goods that cost more than £50
- certain distance sales to Northern
- commission received for selling something on behalf of a third-party
- VAT shown on self-billed invoices issued by your customer
- VAT due on imports accounted for through postponed VAT accounting
Box 2 VAT due in the period on acquisitions of goods made in Northern Ireland from the EU
Since 1 January 2021, a business is only allowed to make acquisitions on goods brought into Northern Ireland from the EU. For acquisitions, the VAT due on all goods and related costs bought from VAT-registered suppliers in the EU should be included.
Box 3 total VAT due
Show the total VAT due, the total of boxes 1 and 2. This is the total output VAT for the period.
Box 4 VAT reclaimed in the period on purchases and other inputs
Show the total amount of deductible VAT charged on business purchases. This is input tax for the period.
This will include:
- VAT paid on imports
- imports accounted for through postponed VAT accounting.
- claims for bad debt relief (BDR)
- payments on removals from a warehousing regime or a free zone
- VAT shown on self-billed invoices issued by you
- acquisitions of goods into Northern Ireland from the EU
Certain VAT paid by a business should not be included in box 4, some examples here.
Adjustments to the amount claimed may be required for
- VAT on any credit notes received
- certain VAT underdeclared or overdeclared on earlier returns
- partial exemption
Box 5 net VAT to pay or reclaim
Deduct the smaller from the larger of values in boxes 3 and 4 and enter the difference in box 5.
If the figure in box 3 is more than the figure in box 4, the difference is the amount payable to HMRC. If the figure in box 3 is less than the figure in box 4, HMRC will repay this.
Box 6 total value of sales and all other outputs excluding any VAT
Show the total VAT exclusive value of all business sales and other specific outputs. These will include:
- zero-rated, reduced rate and exempt supplies
- fuel scale charges
- exports
- distance sales to Northern Ireland which are above the distance selling threshold or, if below the threshold the overseas supplier opts to register for VAT in the UK
- reverse charge transactions
- supplies which are outside the scope of UK VAT (this is debateable, but HMRC require this information)
- deposits that an invoice has been issued for
- net value of the road fuel scale charge
Box 7 total value of purchases and all other inputs excluding any VAT
Show the total net value of expenditure. This will include:
- imports
- acquisitions of goods brought into Northern Ireland from the EU
- reverse charge transactions
- capital assets
Boxes 8 and 9 only need to be completed goods cross the Northern Ireland border.
Box 8 value of supplies of goods to the EU
For supplies of goods and related costs, excluding any VAT, from Northern Ireland the EU made from 1 January 2021.
Box 9 value of acquisitions of goods from the EU
For acquisitions of goods and related costs, excluding any VAT, from the EU into Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.
NB: If a business uses one of the following schemes there may be different rules for completing some of the boxes on returns.
- flat rate scheme
- cash accounting
- annual accounting
- margin schemes for second hand goods, works of art, antiques and collectors’ items
- payments on account.