VAT Registration for International Companies
The UK is one of the most popular locations for companies to expand to and offers many benefits.
VAT Registration in the UK – Why Overseas Companies need it?
VAT registration in the UK for foreign companies becomes relevant is a number of circumstances. The most common of these are:
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When goods are imported and sold in the UK
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Where low value goods are sold in the UK by sellers from outside the UK, this can require the e-commerce platform where goods are sold to register for VAT and declare the output tax for these transactions on behalf of the seller
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Making sales of goods or services in the UK over the UK turnover threshold will require a VAT registration.
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If stock is held in the UK and sold to UK customers that could be a reason to have to register for VAT.
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Importing goods to UK from outside the UK will incur VAT and import duties at the point of entry. VAT can be reclaimed if the importer is VAT registered and payments of import VAT can be delayed.
What are the costs of registering for VAT in the UK?
The costs of VAT registration in the UK for overseas companies vary between different suppliers but it is important to use an adviser that is very familiar with the VAT legislation to avoid problems later on. VAT registration fees are only paid once and getting good advice at the outset can avoid many problems later. VAT registration fees can also depend on the complexity of the circumstances and the company’s trade and structure. Once the foreign company is VAT registered, a VAT return is normally done quarterly.
How long does it takes to register for VAT in the UK?
The VAT registration processing time in UK is normally quite fast. Most time is taken to gather the information and deal with the formalities of the application. Once the VAT application has been submitted, the tax authorities may have additional questions, or require further information. It usually takes between three and six weeks for a VAT number to be issued to a non-UK company .
What are the VAT registration requirements in UK?
For a VAT registration application, the UK tax authorities require detailed information about the business and how and where it trades. The company will have to supply details of whether it has an establishment in the UK, or whether it is trading from its non-UK head office in Germany, the USA or France for example. The applicant making the VAT application must be a director of the company and will need to supply personal identification information and details of previous and present UK VAT registrations with which they are associated.
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