In this section:
- Charging VAT
- Reclaiming VAT
- VAT rates
Reclaiming VAT
What you can and can't reclaim VAT on If you're VAT-registered, you can sometimes reclaim the VAT you pay when you buy goods or services - this is known as input tax
Reclaiming VAT on purchases made before VAT registration You may be able to reclaim the VAT on items you buy when you're setting up a business or before you were VAT-registered
How to calculate VAT from VAT-inclusive amount How to find the VAT when the price includes VAT but it is not shown separately - VAT fractions and VAT calculator
Reclaiming VAT on items for both business and private use If you buy an item and use it for both business and non-business use, you can only reclaim VAT on the proportion used for business
Reclaiming VAT on cars and motoring expenses Find out if or how you can reclaim VAT when you buy or lease a car and on repairs, maintenance and other motoring expenses
VAT and business entertainment and business gifts You cannot reclaim VAT on business entertainment but you may be able to reclaim VAT on employee entertainment and business gifts
Travel and subsistence: when you can reclaim VAT Reclaiming VAT on employee expenses such as transport, meals and accommodation
VAT on incidental expenses to clients; disbursements How to account for VAT on disbursements - eg client expenses such as travelling, admin or bought-in services
Reclaiming VAT on bad debts on goods or services supplied by you How to get the VAT back if a customer doesn't pay you and you have already paid VAT on the sale to HM Revenue & Customs
Dealing with VAT when goods are returned How to adjust VAT when you return goods to a supplier or a customer returns goods to you
Understanding VAT exemption and partial exemption If you only sell VAT exempt items you can't reclaim VAT on your purchases but if you sell some exempt items you could reclaim some VAT
Which transaction should go on which VAT return? Understanding tax points and when to include something you buy or sell on your VAT return - also known as time of supply
