VAT Registration, Returns, and Advice, Without the Confusion
VAT is one of the most common sources of compliance errors for small businesses. The rules around what's taxable, what's exempt, what scheme applies to you, and when you must register are genuinely complex, and the consequences of getting them wrong range from overpaying to unexpected assessments from HMRC. Trusted Figures manages your VAT from registration through to quarterly returns, keeping you on the right side of the rules while we look for legitimate ways to reduce what you owe.
What’s included
- Assessing whether and when you're required to register for VAT
- Registering you with HMRC under the most suitable VAT scheme
- Preparing and filing VAT returns on a quarterly (or monthly) basis via Making Tax Digital
- Reconciling VAT on sales, purchases, and mixed-use items
- Advising on the Flat Rate Scheme and whether it saves you money
- Handling VAT on international transactions, including imports and exports
Who this is for
For VAT-registered businesses of all sizes, and for growing businesses approaching the registration threshold who want to plan ahead.
Common questions
You're only legally required to register once your taxable turnover exceeds the registration threshold in a rolling twelve-month period. However, voluntary registration can make sense in certain situations, for example if most of your customers are VAT-registered businesses who can reclaim the VAT you charge. We'll help you weigh up the pros and cons for your specific client mix.
The Flat Rate Scheme lets eligible businesses pay a fixed percentage of their gross turnover to HMRC rather than tracking VAT on every transaction individually. It simplifies admin and can sometimes result in a small financial advantage, but not always. We run the numbers on your actual income and expense mix before recommending it.
Errors below a certain threshold can be corrected on your next return. Larger errors need to be disclosed to HMRC separately using a voluntary disclosure. Acting promptly and proactively almost always results in a better outcome than waiting for HMRC to find it themselves. We guide you through the process.
All VAT-registered businesses must now keep digital records and submit their VAT returns using MTD-compatible software. We use HMRC-approved tools and handle submissions on your behalf, so you never have to navigate the MTD portal directly.