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UK - Default tax codes

Created on 08 May 2020 | Last modified on 27 September 2023

Summary

The default tax codes used in Sage 50 Accounts v27.1 and above.

Description

Tax codes identify how much VAT is paid on different goods and services.

If you're VAT registered, the tax code you enter against each transaction determines which box of your VAT Return is affected.

Let's look at the existing default tax codes, which boxes on your VAT return they affect and how they're set up in your tax codes settings.

Resolution

Find the right tax code to use

We have some handy guides to help you find the correct tax code to use:

Identify the right tax code to use
View examples of Tax codes to use for popular goods and services

Default tax codes in your software

To check the default tax codes in your software:

Click Settings then click Configuration then click the Tax Codes

A list of the default tax codes appear.

TIP: If the tax code isn't listed in this guide, you can create or amend a tax code.

T0 - Zero rated transactions

Some goods and services are taxable for VAT but the vat rate is 0.00%. This rate may only apply in specific situations or it may depend who the customer is. Some examples include:

Children's clothes and footwear
Water
Basic foods
Books and newspapers

On the VAT Return

Sale - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount N/A.
Purchase - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount N/A.

Configuration

View examples >

T1 - Standard rated transactions - Currently 20%

If you're VAT registered, you need to charge VAT at the standard rate on all goods and services unless they come under a different category. Before selecting any rate other than standard, you should check HMRC's website to determine which rate applies to specific circumstances.

On the VAT Return

Sale - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount affects box 1.
Purchase - Net amount affects box 7 VAT amount affects box 4.

Configuration

View examples >

T2 - Exempt transactions

Some goods and services which VAT isn't charged on. For example:

Insurance, finance and credit.
Education and training.
Fundraising events by charities.
Subscriptions to membership organisations.

On the VAT Return

Sale - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount N/A.
Purchase - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount N/A.

Configuration

View examples >

T4 - Sale of goods to VAT registered customers in EC

NOTE: Northern Ireland only - If you're based in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), and you use Sage 50 Accounts v27.1 or above, after the 1 January 2021 you should use T0 for sale of goods to customers in the EC, not T4.

On the VAT Return

Sales - Net amount affects boxes 6 and 8. VAT amount N/A.

Configuration

T5 - Lower Rate - Currently 5%

This reduced rate of VAT applies to certain goods and services including:

Children's car seats.
Home energy.
Insulation

On the VAT Return

Sales - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount affects box 1.
Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects box 4.

Configuration

View examples >

T7 - Zero rated purchases of goods from suppliers in EC

NOTE: Northern Ireland only - If you're based in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), and you use Sage 50 Accounts v27.1 or above, after the 1 January 2021 you should use T17, T18 or T19 for purchase of goods from suppliers in the EC, not T7. To find which, please visit our Tax code finder wizard.

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects boxes 7 and 9. VAT amount N/A.

Configuration

T8 - Standard rated purchases of goods from suppliers in EC

NOTE: Northern Ireland only - If you're based in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), and you use Sage 50 Accounts v27.1 or above, after the 1 January 2021 you should use T17, T18 or T19 for purchase of goods from suppliers in the EC, not T8. To find which, please visit our Tax code finder wizard.

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects boxes 7 and 9. VAT amount affects boxes 2 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

Configuration

T9 - Transactions not including VAT

On the VAT Return

Non vatable code that does not appear

Configuration

View examples >

By default, these tax codes are not used and are not picked up on your VAT Return.

T14 - Import of goods - No VAT

NOTE: Introduced in Sage 50 Account sv27.2

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects box 7.

Configuration

T15 - Purchase of services from ROW - Reverse charge

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects box 6 and 7. VAT amount affects boxes 1 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

Configuration

T16 - Purchase of services from ROW - No VAT

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects box 7.

Configuration

T17 - Import of goods - Under import reverse charge threshold

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects boxes 1 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

Configuration

T18 - Import of goods - Postponed VAT

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects boxes 1 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

To ensure your VAT Return is correct when you post a Postponed VAT transactions, some Automatic postings of postponed accounting are made.

Configuration

For more information, we've created this great What is postponed accounting? guide.

T19 - Import of goods - VAT not postponed

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects box 4.

Configuration

T20 - Domestic reverse charge

This refers to goods and services which fall under the VAT domestic reverse charge.

On the VAT Return

Sales - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount N/A
Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects boxes 1 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

Configuration

T21 - CIS reverse charge - Standard rate

This refers to the domestic reverse charge on supplies of building and construction services.

On the VAT Return

Sales - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount N/A
Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects boxes 1 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

Configuration

T22 - Sales of services to VAT registered customers in EC

NOTE: If you use Sage 50 Accounts v27.1 or above, after the 1 January 2021 you should use T0 for sales of services to customers in the EC, not T22. For more details, please visit our Tax code finder wizard.

On the VAT Return

Sales - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount N/A.

Configuration

T23 - Zero rated or exempt purchases of services from suppliers in EC

NOTE: If you use Sage 50 Accounts v27.1 or above, after the 1 January 2021 you should use T16 for purchase of services from suppliers in the EC, not T23. For more details, please visit our Tax code finder wizard.

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects boxes 6 and 7. VAT N/A.

Configuration

T24 - Standard rated purchases of services from suppliers in EC

NOTE: If you use Sage 50 Accounts v27.1 or above, after the 1 January 2021 you should use T15 for purchase of services from suppliers in the EC, not T24. For more details, please visit our Tax code finder wizard.

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects boxes 6 and 7. VAT amount affects boxes 1 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

Configuration

T25 - UK Flat Rate scheme only - Flat Rate Capital Asset

On the VAT Return

Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects box 4.

Configuration

T26 - CIS reverse charge - Reduced rate

On the VAT Return

Sales - Net amount affects box 6. VAT amount N/A
Purchases - Net amount affects box 7. VAT amount affects boxes 1 and 4. This is notional VAT which cancels itself out.

Configuration

This article provides general rather than specific guidance to assist all of our customers. We always do our best to make sure that the information is correct but as it's general guidance, no guarantees can be made concerning its suitability for your particular needs. The information is valid at the time of publishing and is provided without any warranty of any kind, express or implied. You should take professional advice if you require specific guidance on your individual circumstances, for example to ensure that the results obtained from using our software comply with statutory or regulatory requirements. For VAT, customs and excise and duties enquiries you should call the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) National Advice Service Helpline on 0300 200 3700, contact your local HMRC office or visit their website at www.hmrc.gov.uk In no event will we be liable to you for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage arising out of or in connection with your use of the information provided.
The VAT or tax codes used in this article are based on the default or recommended codes set up in the software. These may be different in your software.