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vat domestic reverse charge

How to Prepare your Business for the VAT Domestic Reverse Charge?

01/08/2022VAT

If you are associated with the industry of construction, you must be the individual who keeps looking for the new and updated way of accounting for VAT. If you are wondering and searching even now, we have got you covered with the new method of accounting for VAT. VAT domestic reverse charge is known to be a new procedure. You have just found a solution to your accounting problems if you are running a business that is affected too.

In today’s guide, you will get help with preparing our business for the VAT domestic reverse charge. It refers to a measure that is designed for ensuring anti-fraud purposes. This will help to avoid criminal attacks on the VAT system in the UK. This often happens through the means of sophisticated fraud there. You will gather relevant information about how this procedure applies to some specified services and products.

You can seek help from the expert and experienced chartered accountants at CruseBurke and manage your VAT reverse charge invoice accurately. Contact us now!

What is VAT Domestic Reverse Charge?

The VAT Domestic Reverse Charge is a fraud-prevention measure that shifts the responsibility of paying VAT from the supplier (subcontractor) to the customer (contractor). It applies to most construction services reported under the CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) and is only relevant for B2B transactions between VAT-registered businesses in the UK.

The DRC applies to:

  • Standard and reduced-rate VAT services

  • Labour and materials (if supplied together)

  • Most services subject to CIS

It does not apply to:

  • Services provided to end users (e.g. landlords, developers)

  • Zero-rated construction services

  • Supplies outside the scope of CIS

  • Employment businesses supplying labour

1- Make your Staff Well Aware of VAT Domestic Reverse Charge

It is one of your major responsibilities that the staff you have hired for VAT accounting must have good awareness about VAT reverse charge as well as the method to function it practically. In the case you happen to be a contractor, it is your main job to proactively contact the VAT-registered subcontractors. This will ensure that your subcontractors are also well aware of the updated information and you will not receive any invoices with VAT charges in an old way.

On the other hand in the case you happen to be a subcontractor yourself, it is your responsibility to get in touch with your contractors to discuss new rules and policies related to VAT domestic reverse charge. Moreover, the word domestic is used to make the discussion clear. This will ensure that you do not get confused and mix this information with any other reverse charge. We are focused on specifically domestic reverse charges and the relevant information that is necessary to understand in its reference.

2- Focus On Your Cashflow

It is important to consider a serious analysis if any chances can affect your cash flow in the process. In the case of subcontractors, there are high chances for cash flow to be affected. This is because when you happen to be a subcontractor, you are not getting any VAT payments from the consumers. On the other hand, in the cases where you are acting the role of a contractor, You can expect to enjoy the short-term benefits of cash flow. The reason behind the short-term cash flow benefits is that you are not liable to pay any amount of money as VAT to your subcontractors.

Moreover, it is vital to keep in mind that you are still required to account for VAT as well as your VAT accounting. You can even contact your accountant to seek help during the process to avoid mistakes that can cause trouble in the future.

3. Identify If You’re an End User or Intermediary Supplier

The reverse charge does not apply if you’re the end user of the construction service — for example, a landlord, property developer, or tenant.

You must:

  • Notify your subcontractor in writing that you are an end user or intermediary.

  • Ensure this declaration is made before the invoice is issued.

If you fail to do this, the subcontractor is required to apply the reverse charge, which could lead to non-compliance penalties.

4- Use an Updated Accounting Software

If your business is taking advantage of the accounting software, you will have to ensure that it is an updated version that will help you to deal with the VAT domestic reverse charge. Let’s take an example where you are using the desktop software, you can ask your supplier to provide you with the manual update if it is available for your benefit. However, it is recommended to use software that sets you up with the updated version and features of accounting software. This will help to deal with DRC. Xero is one such example that can help you with the updated features and go about it.

5. Check Invoice Format and Filing

Reverse charge invoices must:

  • Clearly state that the reverse charge rules apply

  • Exclude VAT from the total amount payable

  • Include the correct VAT rate, even if not charged

You must still record the VAT in your books even though no VAT is physically paid or received. Contractors will account for both output and input VAT on their VAT return.

The Bottom Line

Now that you have gathered a fair amount of information about VAT domestic reverse charge, we can bring the discussion toward wrapping up finally. To prepare your business for the VAT reverse charge is important to ensure the positive growth of the finances as well as to avoid any future troubles in case the matter is mishandled. As a business owner, you must ensure that you give the required training and awareness to your staff members who are responsible for this purpose and involved in the process.

Moreover, you should keep a focus on the reasons that can affect your cash flow negatively. Also, using the updated version of accounting software to work efficiently is an integral part. We hope these few minutes of reading will help you to develop a better understanding and perform more professionally.

Are you wondering about the VAT reverse charge invoice? Feel free to ask us any questions and get consultation services at CruseBurke by calling us at 02086868876.

Disclaimer: All the information provided in this article on VAT domestic reverse charge, including texts and graphics in general. It does not intend to disregard any of the professional advice.

   

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Reverse Charge on EU VAT

20/12/2021Taxation , VAT

When an individual has experience with suppliers to avail their products or services in the EU countries, due to reverse charge the responsibility of recording VAT transactions moves from the supplier to the buyer to avail the products or services. This makes the supplier free from the responsibility of recording VAT registration in the very country where he is making the supply. Moreover, in case the seller has to deal with any local VAT for the products and services supplied by them due to the reverse charge, even that can be easily reclaimed and recovered with the help of EU VAT. In order to make the VAT simple among 27 member states, a reverse charged mechanism was introduced in 1993 when the tax system was of the European Union was reformed as well to ensure the single market. Before we delve into further discussion, we need to have a look at the following points of discussion in this article. This includes the following:     Reverse Charge – How Does It Work? Exapmles and Use of Reverse Chaarge The Bottom Line   Stuck with your accounts and looking for a helping hand? How about you get our guys on a quick call. We love talking about taxes, payroll management and any opportunities that help you expand your prospects. Call us on 020 8686 8876 or email us today.   Reverse Charge – How Does It Work? The moment the reverse charge is actually applied, the declaration is made about the purchase and sale that include input VAT and output VAT by the recipient of the products and the services while doing the VAT return. In this process, the same return is associated with the cancellation of the cash payment of both entries. However, the authorities are of the view that the transaction is still reported to them by some of the special boxes that are in the return for the supply of the products and services made for cross-border purchasers.   Do you intend to learn more about the reverse charge? Get in touch with one o our professionals and get instant help now.   Examples and Use of Reverse Charge: Here is the discussion of some examples that will explain how to reverse charge is applied among EU members states. This includes the following: The reverse charge is applied when there is a supply of required products or services is made in an EU state to a business that is VAT registered. Some of the services like live events and immovable properties come under the special rule and this depends on the place where the supply is made for any product or service. The reverse charge is also applied when the products or services are being provided to a person or business who is in another EU state Moreover, if the EU business is not VAT registered, it becomes an obligation to get VAT registration completed before the supply is made. In order to get yourself the services outside of Europe.   The Bottom Line: Now that you have developed a basic understanding of the reverse charge and the relevant details, we can sum up the discussion by saying that the process in itself is simple with its rules, however, if not followed according to the set of rules it may cause problems for the supply and recording. We hope this article helped to develop a better understanding and ensure the seamless working for your supplies.   Our accountants at CruseBurke are qualified and cost-effective! We save your time, money, and stress by handling all your finances and business problems in no time! So, allow us to do this at an affordable package!   Disclaimer: This article intends to provide general information based on reverse charge and the relevant details.

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