COVID-19: support for businesses
In the Autumn Statement, the chancellor announced changes to the VAT Flat Rate scheme. From April 2017, HMRC will introduce a new category of trader, a ‘limited cost trader’, with a Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) percentage of 16.5%.
A business within the FRS will have to consider for each VAT accounting period whether it is a limited cost trader.
If it is a limited cost trader, the FRS percentage will be 16.5% regardless of the business sector. The measure will make the FRS less attractive for service businesses (consulting, IT).
Anti-forestalling measures have been introduced to prevent businesses from reducing their post April 2017 turnover by issuing invoices early.
A business is a limited cost trader if its VAT inclusive expenditure on goods is:
Less than 2% of VAT inclusive turnover, or
More than 2% of VAT inclusive turnover, but less than £1,000 per year.
‘Goods’ for these purposes are those used exclusively for business purposes and excluding:
Capital expenditure.
Food & drink for consumption by the Flat Rate business or its employees.
Vehicles, vehicle parts and fuel, unless the business is one which supplies transport services such as a taxi business.
HMRC promise an ‘Easy-to-use online tool’ to help businesses work out whether or not they are limited cost traders and should use the new rate of 16.5%.
About the author
Ingrid Niang est expert-comptable britannique avec seize ans d’expérience variée en Angleterre. De nationalité française, elle a créé son cabinet FRAccountants en 2009 et travaille tout particulièrement avec des entrepreneurs, chefs d’entreprise et consultants français ou francophones ayant une activité commerciale au Royaume-Uni. Elle leur apporte un suivi et conseil sur mesure leur assurant de se conformer aux exigences comptables et fiscales britanniques.
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