Can I recover UK VAT on costs
without a registration?
Most non-UK businesses can claim UK VAT back from the UK authorities
without a formal VAT registration.
The system is by no means perfect
but gives relief.
Claims must be made within certain time limits and
be in the prescribed format. Claims must be supported by original
documentation and a certificate
from the claimants own tax authorities confirming that it is
a taxpayer in its own state.
Time limits
EC claimant's can claim for a period of up to twelve months. Claims
for tax incurred in one calendar year must be made by 30th June
in the following
year. EC businesses incurring tax now can claim at any time up to
30th June 2008.
Non-EC claimant's can also claim for a period of up to twelve months.
The claim year is staggered to even the inflow of claims to the
office handling overseas repayments. A non-EC claimant has a claim
year running
from 1st July in one year to 30th June in the following year. Claims
are to be made by 31st December of that second year.
Those non-EC businesses that
incurred UK VAT in the period 1st June 2006 to 30th June 2007 must
claim by 31st December 2007.
Forms
Claims are to be made on form VAT 65/VAT65A available from the HMRC web
site.
Many businesses find the process cumbersome and difficult.
Hiland Consulting
Limited acts as claim handling agent for many offshore businesses.
For further details and terms and conditions please contact
us.
