VAT Man - will he get me???

lebly

Best advice contact VAT helpline. Ask for an inspector to come and see you they are there to advise aswell. As for paying VAT back if you are going to hve difficulty paying it all in one go you can ask to pay in installment but you have to make sure that you can give a stong case to justify your request.

VAT office and DMU will helpand advise but they cant do alot until returns are filed. They do not class not having the money as reasonable request you need to back up request with forecasts etc to prove what you can afford to pay. At the end of the day its government money.

In future my advice set up an account specifically for your vat etc pay all vat received into that account therefore you will have the money to pay the returns when they are due!

Dont panic be honest and ask for help it will sort itself out. Good luck

JasonLVC

DON'T whatever you do call the National Advice Line. I guarantee you'll get a different answer each time you call, unless the question is "What's the standard rate of VAT?". The line is not staffed by field-experienced officers, instead operating like any other call centre. If it ain't on their screen they can't answer you.

The advice has already been given - do your figures first and if repayment nothing to worry about so submit 1st return. If you owe money then penalties will be due, contact your local VAT office and ask an HMRC officer for advice - not the helpline.

HMRC officers are there to help you, but they are equally not obliged to find solutions to your problems, especially if it involves a loss to the public purse. It's a bit like claiming benefits, no-one tells you what you are entitled to but if you ask for a benefit they'll then help you get it. Trust me, 8 years in tax and VAT consultancy and ex-HMRC officer too.

lebly

You need to go through the advice line to get a contact officer you cannot find the officer who will be able to deal with you by sheer guess work - Oh and I have experience too!

lebly

just another thing make sure you submit your vat return on time whatever the outcome as late return submission also carries a penalty. If you do owe maoney pay what you can when you submit the return if you cannot pay the full amount. If you cannot pay the full amount contact your local DMU teh advice line will be able to give you the number.

I would still definatley get advice about the period not coverd by your first return as you can have an extended return which would not cover the usual quarter but can cover a longer period back to the time you should have started declaring your VAT.

greyteam1959

Sort post this.......
Sound advice WHA

JasonLVC

lebly wrote:

You need to go through the advice line to get a contact officer you cannot find the officer who will be able to deal with you by sheer guess work - Oh and I have experience too!

...that wasn't your advice in your post. You suggested the OP call the advice line and invite an officer to come around to their business. A big difference and indeed, for the OP in her current position, not a good idea until she's done the figures and knows whether she's messed up or not.

You can easily google your local vat office or visit https://www.hmrc.gov.uk and get it from there. I'm not anti-VATman, just a case of considering the best options for the OP rather than what's best for HMRC. The number of client's I've had that have received poor advice (and indeed, down right wrong advice) from HMRC officers has kept me busy for many years. They're not all bad, but experience tells me to not trust them until you are fully aware of the situation, consequences, as they are not the font of all knowledge.:D

Lifeisbutadream

mumhancox wrote:

Hi Sorry to join in lat, but just looked at your figures and you say you do the books, not trying to be nosey but you see to be paying ahell of a lot of nic and tax, I am sure there is something not right there, not an expert but think you would be very wise to see another accountant, for a freebie chat, (Often first chat is free)

Tax was a guesstimate - would rather over than under estimate!

Accountant checks my final figures...

Lifeisbutadream

Thanks again for this brilliant advice!

In fact I might sack my accountant altogether and just come on here a few times a year...;)

Will post again with any updates...

vinecote

you may be able to invoice your clients the vat potion..raise it as a vat invoice...only a good idea if they are vat registered and agree.
if they are they wont lose out as they can now claim it back.

lebly

Getting as much advice and information is important. Visiting officers can give advice over the phone, which is why I suggested phoning to get a contact with the officer if she feels a visit to her business is not necessary. It is important to get the right advice and as much as possible to ensure that everything is heading in the right direction. The OPs Local VAT office may not be that "local" so going in there may not be possible. VOs deal with newly registererd businesses and those who have had late registrations all the time.

HMRC is not full of scarey horrible people doing their utmost to meke life difficult.

I hope all goes well for you and you get all the help you need along the way to get things sorted!