We summarise the workings of cash accounting for VAT. If you are starting or have recently started a business we, at Attwoods, can advise you on the cash accounting scheme.
Cash accounting enables a business to account for and pay VAT on the basis of cash received and paid rather than on the basis of invoices issued and received.
The advantages of the scheme are as follows.
The potential disadvantages are as follows.
A business can join the scheme if it has reasonable grounds for believing that taxable turnover in the next 12 months will not exceed £1,350,000 provided that it:
All standard and zero-rated supplies count towards the £1,350,000 except anticipated sales of capital assets previously used within the business. Exempt supplies are excluded.
When a business joins the scheme, it must be careful not to account again for VAT on any amounts already dealt with previously on the basis of invoices issued and received.
A business can start using the scheme without informing HMRC. It does not cover:
Once annual turnover reaches £1,600,000 the business must leave the scheme immediately.
On leaving the scheme, VAT is due on all supplies on which it has not already been accounted for. However outstanding VAT can be accounted for on a cash basis for a further six months after leaving the scheme.
Output tax must be accounted for when payment is received.
Under the cash accounting scheme the prime record will be a cash book summarising all payments made and received with a separate column for VAT. The payments need to be clearly cross-referenced to the appropriate purchase/sales invoice.
In addition the normal requirements regarding copies of VAT invoices and evidence of input tax apply.
At Attwoods, we can advise on whether the VAT cash accounting scheme would be suitable for your business.
“Professional, flexible and experienced team, we have worked with the firm for many years, and have no hesitation in recommending their services to other businesses and individuals.”
Chris Davies
The practices of Attwoods are carried on by Attwoods Accountants Limited, Attwoods Business Services Limited, Attwoods (Bromsgrove) Limited, Attwoods (London) Limited and Attwoods CCA Limited. Regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.