ALL ABOUT VAT & VAT RETURNS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Advance VAT returns & registrations in the UK
You are an online seller based in the UK (or would like to become one) and need help with your VAT number registrations or/and your preliminary returns? Start today with our free tax tool and automate your VAT and paperwork in Europe!
When do I have to apply for a VAT number in the UK?
Reason 1:
Threshold Limit
Exceeding the threshold of £70,000
Anyone who is active in Europe and sells to the United Kingdom must (at least this year and depending on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations) obtain a UK VAT number if a certain delivery threshold is exceeded. Check out our Blog to stay up-to-date.
For this threshold, the turnover from an EU member state to the UK within one calendar year is decisive.
With a VAT delivery threshold of £70,000 (approx. € 77,000), this means that if, for example, a trader registered in Germany sells to the UK and exceeds a turnover of £70,000 within a calendar year, this triggers a VAT liability and the online trader must register for VAT in the UK (ideally before this threshold is reached) as the registration in Germany is not enough anymore.
Reason 2:
Storage
Storage in warehouses in the United Kingdom
In addition to reaching the delivery threshold, storage in an EU country also triggers VAT obligations and makes registration, filings and returns mandatory.
If you store in the United Kingdom, for example in Amazon’s warehouses, then you must also register for tax purposes there!
Unlike the delivery threshold, there is no room for manoeuvre here and so 1. you must register in every country of storage and 2. this applies from the time of storage. Advance VAT returns must also be submitted from the first day of storage!
You already have a British VAT number?
✔️ YES
Perfect. 👍🏼
No further costs for you.
❌ NO
You do not have a VAT ID in the United Kingdom, but need one? Especially considering the Making Tax Digital (MTD) program? Then you have come to the right place!
In our FREE VAT compliance Tool, registrations can be made with just a few clicks and all reports, declarations and advance returns can be submitted.
For hellotax customers who book our VAT service annually, the registration of all VAT numbers is free of charge!
Do you need help filing your advance returns in the United Kingdom?
✔️ YES
Need help submitting your VAT returns and other documents in the UK?
Our team of tax advisors all over Europe naturally also covers the UK, ensuring that all local tasks are handled in the best possible way.
Our in-house developed VAT automation software together with our accountants make VAT processing easier than ever before.
❌ NO
You need no further help with your returns? Awesome! 👌🏼
You have already registered in GB in the past?
✔️ YES
You have registered in time? Well done!
Then go to the last question 👇🏼
❌ NO
If you have overlooked or forgotten to get a VAT ID in the UK in time, keep calm as this is not an unmanageable problem.
Even in retrospect, registrations can be processed and documents can be submitted subsequently. Of course, we will be happy to support you in this, contact us and we will tell you what your obligations are and what steps are necessary to comply with all requirements.
Would you already have had to file advance returns in the UK?
✔️ YES
You missed the registration in GB and therefore did not submit any returns?
Don’t worry, retroactive processing steps are also possible here. We are happy to help you with retroactive registrations and retroactive advance returns – generally with all necessary steps to clear up the omissions.
Our FREE VAT tool allows you to monitor thresholds in real time and tells you when and where you need to register. If you decide to subscribe to our service, you will receive a variety of additional software features and services that automate your VAT obligations!
❌ NO
😎