PayPal Invoices - VAT?

fewgroats

It seems from the information I received when filling in a PayPal invoice that I should be charging my clients VAT. But isn't that just for businesses? I don't remember a section for VAT on my tax form?

antrobus

fewgroats wrote: »

It seems from the information I received when filling in a PayPal invoice that I should be charging my clients VAT. But isn't that just for businesses? I don't remember a section for VAT on my tax form?

If you have clients, how are you not running a business?

lovinituk

As above, sounds like you are a business. BUT, are you a VAT registered business?

Aquamania

fewgroats wrote: »

It seems from the information I received when filling in a PayPal invoice that I should be charging my clients VAT. But isn't that just for businesses? I don't remember a section for VAT on my tax form?

You cannot charge VAT unless you are registered for VAT.

If you are registered for VAT, I'm sure you would be aware that you should be charging VAT on appropriate sales.

fewgroats

I'm still confused if I should be registered for VAT? Could MSE forum users please understand I have not got a business and work from there? Thank you.

martindow

fewgroats wrote: »

Could MSE forum users please understand I have not got a business and work from there? Thank you.

I don't understand this. In your OP you talk of your clients so you do seem to have a business.

You are obliged to register for VAT if your turnover goes over certain figures - details here for this year's allowances

https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration-thresholds

lovinituk

fewgroats wrote: »

Could MSE forum users please understand I have not got a business and work from there?

Work from where? Who are your clients?

fewgroats

Surely everyone who has used EBay has sent some kind of PayPal invoice? What's so hard to understand here, people?

They are people I write content for, BTW.

lovinituk

fewgroats wrote: »

Surely everyone who has used EBay has sent some kind of PayPal invoice? What's so hard to understand here, people?

They are people are write content for, BTW.

So you charge people to write content for them? Then you have a business because you are providing a service for money!

No I generally don't send Paypal invoices for eBay sales as eBay sends invoices for you.

fewgroats

Sorry to be blunt, but how about this comment?

"I don't know. I'm not a freelancer. I'm confused about freelancing."

lovinituk

fewgroats wrote: »

Sorry to be blunt, but how about this comment?

What's that comment got to do with anything?

You are providing a service and you are earning money from it so you are a self employed sole trader i.e. a business.

It sounds like you are declaring your income via tax returns which is good, but you should also be registered with HMRC as self employed and may need to be paying some National Insurance depending on if you are also employed or not.

I doubt very much you need to be VAT registered unless you are earning over the VAT threshold.