Loaned a friend VAT money - Any way to get it back!

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
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    GDB2222 wrote: »
    Yes, they count as evidence.

    Unless they're from an unregistered PAYG phone, in which case he could deny it's his phone and, therefore, not his text messages.
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 24,805 Forumite
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    Bedsit_Bob wrote: »
    Unless they're from an unregistered PAYG phone, in which case he could deny it's his phone and, therefore, not his text messages.

    It's still evidence. If there's a conflict in the evidence, the court will decide which it wants to believe on the balance of probability.
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 24,805 Forumite
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    4Chickens wrote: »
    I hate to be the bearer of bad news BUT:

    1 The VAT that you leant to your mate was not yours to lend. You collected that VAT on behalf of HM Revenue & Customs.
    2 If you do not/cannot pay this to HM Revenue & Customs you run the risk of a VAT inspection which will likely conclude that you have commited VAT fraud. And you will be hauled to the Crown Court.
    3 If you are a Limited Company then HM Revenue & Customs will report you to Companies House for defrauding the Crown and your company will be struck off and you will be banned from being a company director for a number of years.

    Like the other on here have said, you can go after your friend through the courts and they will likely make an award in your favour. However, the chances of you enforcing the debt will take a very long time and you will likely be unsuccessful in the end.

    Businesses go bust all the time without all that happening. The money was set aside by the OP to pay his VAT, and now he can't pay it. So, it's possible his business is insolvent. Or he is, if he is not trading through a limited company.
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
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