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Building contractors – avoiding registration !

11th Jun 2019
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Even the First Tier Tribunal suggested a common ruse which allows building contractors to avoid having to register for VAT.

In the decision of Peter Hartigan T/A Striking Iron, the Judge commented, as she concluded:

  It is unfortunate that Mr Hartigan has not considered, or been advised, to make labour-only supplies, and to arrange for his customers to be invoiced directly by the suppliers for the materials, especially for the high-value items from catalogues. If he had been so advised, then his invoiced totals would not have pushed him over the VAT registration threshold in force for the relevant periods. (para 91)

The arithmetic is obvious. The value of his supplies is his labour only, not labour and materials. He may even be able to use a small number of sub-contractors and still remain below the threshold.

Personally, I have reservations over such arrangements:

  • A private customer will engage with the builder to carry out certain works, not to fit specific materials purchased for him to fit.
  • If the contractor uses a trade account to purchase the goods, thus obtaining a trade discount, then he must be presumed to supplying and fitting those goods.
  • In the event of a complaint, the customer will revert to the contractor not the supplier of the goods.
  • Will a contractor make the contractual position clear?

What do other AWebbers think?

http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKFTT/TC/2019/TC07109.html

Replies (1)

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By Justin Bryant
12th Jun 2019 10:18

I think your concerns are overplayed, as who doesn't want to avoid paying VAT (or any kind of tax) under a court approved scheme? Indeed, a tax advisor can be sued for not suggesting such a scheme.

This is a bit like the tribunal who confirmed how to do a s455 director loan waiver scheme successfully.

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