About reverse charge VAT

What is reverse charge VAT and when to use it in Accounting Start.

What is reverse charge VAT

With reverse charge VAT, it's the responsibility of the customer, rather than the supplier, to charge VAT and report it on the VAT Return.

When you sell goods or services to another VAT-registered business, you usually include VAT on your invoice. You then report for this on your VAT Return.

With reverse charge, you do not charge VAT on the sales invoice. The business buying the goods or services declares both the output and input VAT.

 TIP: Make sure on the invoice you specify the VAT value and that reverse charge rules apply.

For further information about reverse charge VAT, check with HMRC.

When to use reverse charge VAT

You can use reverse charge VAT in the following situations if you

• Buy and sell some specified goods and services, mainly mobile phones, and computer chips. This is known as Domestic Reverse Charge VAT
  See VAT domestic reverse charge VAT for mobile phones and computer chips
• Buy and sell services reported under the Construction Industry Scheme. Under the CIS scheme, contractors buying from subcontractors must account for VAT
  See Reverse charge VAT and CIS

How reverse charge applies to the VAT Return

The VAT is recorded as both a sale and purchase on your VAT Return, effectively cancelling each other out.

If you have selected Standard or Lower Rate, the VAT amount shows in

• Box 1 - VAT due in this period on sales and other outputs
• Box 4 - VAT reclaimed in this period on purchases and other inputs

The net amount is shown in

• Box 6 - Total value of sales excluding VAT
• Box 7 - Total value of purchases and all other inputs excluding any VAT