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Gabelle Tax Analysis: VAT Flat Rate Scheme – choose the business category carefully

13th Jun 2014
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Gabelle helps accountancy firms through technical tax know-how.

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Idess Ltd (TC 03638, reported on 2 June joined the flat rate scheme when it registered for VAT as an ‘engineering & design consultancy’. The scheme category chosen by the business was ‘any other activity not listed elsewhere’ resulting in VAT payable of 9% based on its turnover (Regulations, SI 1995/2518, reg 55K(4)).

HMRC considered the company’s activities were as ‘architect, civil and structural engineer or surveyor’ which attracted a higher flat rate of 12½%. The company appealed against the subsequent assessment and penalty raised by HMRC.

The Tribunal found that the company’s work did not involve land, buildings, or other structures, but did involve plant and machinery.

The tribunal considered that “Civil and structural engineers” denoted operations relating to land, buildings and other structures and that there was an obvious defining line between mechanical engineering and the other two categories of engineering. The category chosen by the company was therefore apt to its circumstances and the appeal was allowed.

This case highlights the importance of getting the flat rate scheme category correct and that perhaps other businesses in the “architects, civil and structural engineers or surveyors” category may be improperly categorised and paying too much VAT.

Vaughn Chown is a Partner and Head of VAT at Gabelle LLP. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via TaxDesk on 0845 4900 509.

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