The VAT Jargon-Buster for Businesses

VAT isn’t the simplest thing to get your head around, and at times the terminology makes it seem more complex. To help you make sense of it all we explain what HMRC mean by some of the most frequently used VAT jargon to help you get going.

Accounting scheme

There are different VAT accounting schemes available, which can affect the way that you report and pay VAT. Some VAT schemes do have eligibility criteria, but as long as you meet those, it’s usually up to you to choose the one most useful for your business. Learn more about the different VAT schemes and their requirements.

Deregistration

You can cancel your VAT registration if the business is no longer eligible or if it stops trading. Make sure you do it within 30 days of becoming ineligible, or you might find yourself with HMRC penalties!

Disbursements

VAT disbursements are payments your business makes on behalf of a client, such as buying a train ticket for them because you’re booking your own at the same time. They’re a bit different to expenses because they’re not a result of the service you offer. The difference between disbursements and expenses has implications for the way you charge and report VAT.

Domestic reverse charge

The VAT domestic reverse charge makes it the customer’s responsibility, rather than the supplier’s, to account for VAT on goods and services such as computer chips and emission allowances, as well as VAT-registered businesses in the Construction Industry Scheme.

Effective date of registration

This is the date you went over the registration threshold or requested voluntary registration.

Exempt goods and services

These are supplies and services that you can’t charge VAT on. For example, insurance, postage stamps, or health services provided by doctors. The government website has a full list of goods and services that are VAT exempt.

Out of scope

This refers to goods and services which are outside the VAT tax system, that you can’t charge or reclaim VAT on. Charges outside the scope of VAT typically include charges made by the government, such as MOT testing or the London congestion charge. Another typical example is the wages you pay to employees.

Registration

Registering for VAT tells HMRC your business will now start making regular VAT submissions. You must register for VAT if:

• Your business’s VAT taxable turnover is more than £90,000 in a 12-month period
• You expect your taxable turnover to go over £90,000 within the next 30 days

Registration exception

You can apply for a registration exception if your taxable turnover only goes over the threshold temporarily. Write to HMRC with evidence showing why you believe your VAT taxable turnover won’t go over the de-registration threshold of £88,000 in the next 12 months. HMRC will either confirm your exception or register you for VAT.

Registration threshold

It’s normally compulsory to register your business for VAT once your taxable turnover reaches the registration threshold. The current threshold for the 2026/27 is £90,000.

VAT number

This is the unique reference number which identifies your VAT registration with HMRC. You’ll need to include your VAT reference number on every invoice.

VAT period

A VAT period is the timespan covered by your VAT accounting. For example, if you use the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme then there are 12 months in your VAT period. If you use the standard VAT accounting method, then each VAT period will cover one ‘quarter’ (the three-month period that you need to report on your VAT submission). It’s crucial to know what your VAT period covers, because this also affects your VAT reporting deadline.

VAT rate

The rate of VAT registered businesses must charge on their sales depends on what taxable goods and services are involved:

• Standard rate: This is the most common, and is 20%
• Reduced rate: Charged at 5%, this applies to some goods and services, such as gas and electricity
• Zero rate: VAT is charged, but at 0%

Voluntary registration

Some businesses find it useful to register for VAT even though their turnover is less than registration threshold. This is known as making a voluntary registration. There can be several reasons for doing this, including being more tax efficient.

Taxable turnover

VAT taxable turnover is the total value of your UK sales that aren’t VAT exempt, including:

• Goods you hire or loan to customers
• Business goods you use for personal reasons
• Goods which you barter, part-exchange, or give as gifts
• Services you receive from businesses in other countries that you had to ‘reverse charge’
• Building work over £100,000 which your business did for itself
• Zero-rated items

Zero-rated items

Zero-rated means that the goods are still VAT-taxable but the rate of VAT you must charge your customers is 0%. You still have to record them in your VAT accounts and report them to HMRC. Examples include children’s clothes and shoes, or motorcycle helmets.

Learn more about our online accounting services for VAT. Call the team on 020 3355 4047 and get an instant quote online.