shaw gibbs - accountants and business advisers
accountants & business advisers

VAT consultancy

VAT consultancy

Guiding you through the most complex components of the UK tax system.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax on transactions - the decisions on whether it applies are taken every day on charges applied by businesses to their customers. Once an incorrect decision is made, businesses can waste many hours making corrections. This is where we come in.

Mitigate hidden costs with confidence

Core services

  • Planning

    With ever-increasing legislation and regulation on VAT, it is important that you have a formulated plan in place. We look at your proposed business activities and advise you on the most beneficial VAT structure.

    In planning for the future, our specialists can make sure that your payments are made on time and that you are compliant with legal regulations. In addition, our planning process helps to reduce the possibility of paying too much tax in the future.

    Book a Meeting

    In planning for the future, our specialists can make sure that your payments are made on time and that you are compliant with legal regulations. In addition, our planning process helps to reduce the possibility of paying too much tax in the future.

    Book a Meeting
  • VAT review

    Our VAT review service is similar to that of a health check, in that it is an extensive review of your VAT system with a focus on its strengths and weaknesses, all while identifying unique opportunities for your business. 

    A VAT review goes one step further than the health check, however. Our specialist will provide you with a written report, but also will fully remove risk, as your VAT system will be tested thoroughly to ensure it's working perfectly.

    Book a Meeting

    A VAT review goes one step further than the health check, however. Our specialist will provide you with a written report, but also will fully remove risk, as your VAT system will be tested thoroughly to ensure it's working perfectly.

    Book a Meeting
  • Health check

    To help give you confidence in your VAT system, our specialist can carry out a health check. This would be an in-depth review of your business tax system to establish that VAT is being dealt with thoroughly and accurately.

    The health check would include an initial assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your system. This would in turn, give you the opportunity to reduce potential risks, but also take hold of future opportunities available from effectively dealing with VAT issues.

    In carrying out a health check, you would also be able to show HMRC that you are taking control of your VAT – thus further limiting future penalties.

    Book a Meeting

    The health check would include an initial assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your system. This would in turn, give you the opportunity to reduce potential risks, but also take hold of future opportunities available from effectively dealing with VAT issues.

    In carrying out a health check, you would also be able to show HMRC that you are taking control of your VAT – thus further limiting future penalties.

    Book a Meeting
  • Written option

    On occasion, there will be several ways to structure a transaction. This is especially prevalent in property developments.

    At Shaw Gibbs, we can provide a written opinion outlining each option and their pros and cons. From this, we'll also provide our recommendation on how to proceed.

    Book a Meeting

    At Shaw Gibbs, we can provide a written opinion outlining each option and their pros and cons. From this, we'll also provide our recommendation on how to proceed.

    Book a Meeting

Added value services

Telephone helpline

Due to the complexities surrounding VAT, even the smallest incorrect decisions can have large repercussions. To help you alleviate small mistakes, we offer a VAT helpline, in which we promise clear and practical advice to your area of concern.

Representation

There may be occasions when HMRC try to impose their opinion on a business which may be incorrect. In turn, you may have then made submissions to HMRC which have been rejected. This is where Shaw Gibbs can offer guidance.

You can appoint us as your representative and we can take over the enquiry. This can range from writing formal letters on your behalf to representing you through Alternative Dispute Resolution.

HMRC enquiry

HMRC may make enquiries into your business and decide that something is incorrect. This enquiry might be in regards to a particular aspect of the tax return or, alternatively, it might be in regards to the whole tax return. HMRC can levy VAT for up to 4 years plus penalties and interest.

At Shaw Gibbs, we have experience in dealing with a wide range of enquiries. We can assist you in responding to HMRC to minimise penalties and interest.

Pre HMRC visit review

HMRC may visit your business to inspect your VAT records, in order to assess whether you are paying the right amount of VAT. HMRC will only make this visit if they anticipate a problem – this may be due to the size of your business or issues with your previous VAT forms.

HMRC will generally only give you 7 days’ notice in advance of their visit. Due to the tight time pressures, it is important you have the right preparation in place. Our VAT specialist will look to put together a VAT risk assessment, which will determine the reason for the visit and help you prepare accordingly.

Your VAT consultancy Team

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