If a business leases a car for business use then HMRC rules dictate that normally only 50% of the VAT on the hire charge is recoverable.
Record the invoice as an Other Payment as shown in the below steps and table:
| Ledger Account | Details | Net | VAT Rate | VAT |
| 5000 – Cost of sales – goods | Lease Hire Charge | 1000.00 | Standard 20% | 100.00 |
| 5000 – Cost of sales – goods | Non-recoverable VAT (50%) | 100.00 | No VAT | 0.00 |
| 7302 – Equipment hire and rental | Repair and maintenance | 100.00 | Standard 20% | 20.00 |
NOTE: The VAT amount will automatically calculate when you enter the Net Lease Hire Charge, based on the VAT rate selected. Select the VAT box to amend the VAT amount for the row.For further information about motoring expenses and VAT, please refer to HMRC's Public Notice 700/64 – Motoring Expenses (opens in a new tab).
For further information about recording the purchase of fixed assets including hire purchase, see Purchase a fixed asset.