Apply online

Apply for a VAT number online because it averts the risk of an application going missing in the post and also HMRC quotes ten fewer days for dealing with online submissions – 20 days compared to 30 days estimated. Every piece of postal VAT correspondence seems to now go to the same address, namely: BT VAT, HMRC, BX9 1WR. Hope they have got a big letter box in that building, wherever it is.

Be clear about dates

A lot of delays with VAT registration applications are caused by confusion with dates. For clarity, two questions need to be considered before the form is completed:

• What is the compulsory date of registration?
• Do I want to register earlier than the compulsory date – up to four years ago?

If the answer to the second question is ‘no’ – then the compulsory date is a fait accompli – end of story. No other dates are relevant.

Letter from HMRC

You will receive a message from HMRC when you are issued with your VAT number. It will tell you that you need to account for output tax on some past sales if you applied for a retrospective registration date.

It promised to send more information about the flat rate and annual accounting schemes, and an EORI number, if relevant to the business. #

It also covered issues with agents – including the 64-8 procedure – as well as Making Tax Digital and its rules and requirements.

The whole process can take as little as three days, but HMRC say it can take up to 20 days – the advice here is to use HMRC’s automated system if you want the quickets possible turnaround.

Remember, MyRegData has MTD for VAT built in and included in the price you pay, so if you are VAT registered you are covered.