VAT Flat Rate Scheme Changes

Back in November, it was announced that changes will be made to the Flat Rate VAT Scheme, due to what was termed aggressive abuse of the scheme. The changes will take effect from 1 April 2017.

The flat rate scheme was introduced to simplify VAT returns for businesses that fall within the scope (turnover limit) to use the scheme. The changes will mean that any businesses registered to use the flat rate scheme will have to consider if they are “limited cost businesses” and whether the new flat rate percentage of 16.5% will need to be used.

This change will affect businesses that are mostly “labour only,” which a number of contractors will be.

 

VAT Notice 733 has sections that gives more information on who is considered a limited cost business.

Sections 4.4 says;

You’re a limited cost business if the amount you spend on relevant goods including VAT is either:

• less than 2% of your VAT flat rate turnover
• greater than 2% of your VAT flat rate turnover but less than £1000 per year

If your return is less than one year the figure is the relevant proportion of £1000. For a quarterly return this is £250.

 

The notice goes on to describe what is and what is not a relevant good;

Examples of relevant goods

This isn’t an exhaustive list:

• stationery and other office supplies to be used exclusively for the business
• gas and electricity used exclusively for your business
• fuel for a taxi owned by a taxi firm
• stock for a shop
• cleaning products to be used exclusively for the business
• hair products to use to provide hairdressing services
• standard software, provided on a disk

Relevant goods are goods that are used exclusively for the purposes of your business, but don’t include:

• vehicle costs including fuel, unless you’re operating in the transport sector using your own, or a leased vehicle
• food or drink for you or your staff
• capital expenditure goods of any value, see paragraph 15.1
• goods for resale, leasing, letting or hiring out if your main business activity doesn’t ordinarily consist of selling, leasing, letting or hiring out such goods
• goods that you intend to re-sell or hire out, unless selling or hiring is your main business activity
• any services

Examples of supplies that aren’t relevant goods

This isn’t an exhaustive list:

• accountancy fees, these are services
• advertising costs, these are services
• an item leased/hired to your business, this counts as services, as ownership will never transfer to your business
• food and drink for you or your staff, these are excluded goods
• fuel for a car this is excluded unless operating in the transport sector using your own, or a leased vehicle
• laptop or mobile phone for use by the business, this is excluded as it is capital expenditure see paragraph 15.1
• anything provided electronically, for example a downloaded magazine, these are services
• rent, this is a service
• software you download, this is a service
• software designed specifically for you (bespoke software), this is a service even if it is not supplied electronically

 

As services are not considered a relevant good, it will likely mean that a number of businesses will be caught by the change. For example, a business that has high sub-contractor costs may fall in to the limited cost business definition, as sub-contractors costs are considered services.

For businesses that use the flat rate scheme, it may be more beneficial to move to another scheme. We can advise on the other VAT schemes that are available and what needs to be done to change.

Advertisement