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VAT domestic reverse charge for mobile phones and computer chips

Created on  | Last modified on 

Summary

Record the VAT on sales in Accounting Start, under Domestic Reverse Charge rules.

Description

What is VAT domestic reverse charge?

Domestic reverse charge applies when a UK customer buys mobile phones or computer chips. The customer, not the supplier, records the VAT on their VAT Return.

Usually, when you sell goods or services to another VAT registered business, you include VAT on your invoice and record it on your VAT Return.

Under the reverse charge, you don’t add VAT to your sales invoice. Still show the VAT amount and state that the reverse charge rules apply. The customer accounts for the VAT as output tax and can normally reclaim the same amount as input tax, subject to the usual VAT recovery rules.

▼ See an example

You sell £6,000 worth of mobile phones to Baker and Company. You don’t add the £1,200 VAT to the invoice.

Baker and Company accounts for £1,200 as output tax in Box 1 of their VAT Return. Subject to the normal VAT recovery rules, they can also reclaim £1,200 as input tax in box 4.

Resolution

VAT domestic reverse charge sales

Set up customers

Specify that VAT Reverse Charge applies on the sales invoice for those customers who buy mobile phones and computer chips from you.

To do this, read reverse charge VAT and CIS. For a new customer, select the checkbox from the Account Details section.

Enter sales invoices

If you've set the customer up to use domestic reverse charge, a checkbox shows on the invoice.

  1. Select Sales, then New Invoice.
  2. Choose your customer, and select the Use VAT reverse charge checkbox when reverse charge rules apply.
  3. Enter the details of the invoice as normal.

    NOTE:

    Select the VAT Rate you normally select for this type of sale.

  4. The VAT analysis section shows that the reverse charge rules apply and reverses the VAT value.
  5. Select Save.

The VAT Return

The effect on the VAT return is:

  • The VAT Return shows the net value of the sale in box 6 as usual
  • The VAT doesn't show in box 1

Screenshot of the VAT Return after a reverse charge VAT transaction.

VAT Cash Accounting

Any invoice where reverse charge applies shows on your VAT Return when you raise it, rather than when your customer pays it.

Flat Rate VAT

Any invoice where reverse charge applies shows in the box 6 figure, but not in the flat rate calculation.

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