VAT Flat Rate Scheme changes from 1st April 2017

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Many small businesses choose to use the Flat Rate VAT scheme due to it’s simplicity of accounting. Rather than adding up the VAT you pay on all your purchases and deduct it from the VAT you collect on sales to work out how much you owe, you simply take a flat percentage of your VAT inclusive turnover and that’s what you need to pay.

From the 1st April 2017, a new ‘limited cost business’ rate will come into force and if this applies to you then you’ll pay a higher rate of 16.5%. As this is based on your VAT inclusive turnover it equates to about 19.8% of your net turnover. This is 0.2% below the standard rate of VAT leaving you almost no credit for VAT incurred on purchases. It is likely you’d be better off on full VAT so that you can reclaim VAT paid on business-related goods and services.

How is a limited cost business defined?

You will be considered a limited cost business if your cost of goods is less than either:

  • 2% of your turnover
  • £1,000 a year (if your costs are more than 2%)

What are cost of goods defined as?

Goods are items or materials exclusively used in your business. You can include gas and electricity.

What is excluded?

Goods counted towards the 2% or £1000 do not include:

  • Any services (e.g. your eBay shop design or new website)
  • Expenses like travel and accommodation
  • Food and drink eaten by yourself or your staff
  • Vehicle costs including fuel unless you’re in the transport business using your own, or a leased vehicle
  • Rent, internet, phone bills and accountancy fees
  • Gifts, promotional items and donations
  • Goods you will resell or hire out unless this is your main business activity
  • Training and memberships
  • Capital items for example office equipment, laptops, mobile phones and tablets

Who is this likely to affect?

If you are a marketplace consultant on the Flat Rate VAT scheme, there’s practically nothing you’ll be able to claim as purchases towards your 2% of turnover so you are likely to be defined as a limited cost business and be paying 16.5% VAT from the 1st of April.

This shouldn’t affect marketplace sellers as your cost of goods is likely to be more than 2% of turnover and as this is your main business activity you’ll be eligible for a lower VAT Flat Rate. Many marketplace traders who register for VAT select the business type “Retailing not listed elsewhere” for which the Flat Rate is 7.5%.

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