VAT Returns

Our outsourcing and VAT experts can ensure your VAT returns are filed correctly and on time, with advice on-hand throughout the year.

Getting your VAT right

VAT rules can be very complex and there’s many pitfalls which can often have significant costs and penalties to getting it wrong, especially if not uncovered quickly. You need to ensure that your business remains VAT compliant but also ensure that you’re paying the right amount of VAT. Therefore, having trusted advisers that you can either outsource your company’s VAT returns to, review your VAT returns or seek advice from is crucial.

How we can help

At The Smart Accountants, our specialist outsourcing team and VAT experts have vast experience with supporting businesses of many sizes with their VAT returns. This can include:

  • Preparing and filing your VAT returns

  • Advice on registration, de-registration and the various VAT schemes

  • VAT return reviews/health checks

  • Training on systems & bookkeeping

  • Ongoing outsourced bookkeeping

We’ll ensure that, where appropriate, you’re reclaiming all the VAT on your expenditure and can advise on any contentious items. We’re also able to support with systems and processes to ensure your bookkeeping and the subsequent VAT returns are as automated as possible, whilst still retaining the appropriate controls.

If you’re just starting out, we can also advise on your situation to determine whether you need (or should) register for VAT, advise on the relevant schemes and process your VAT registration for you.

db sharp & sons limited

“The team have helped us grow and become more professional. Dave has been invaluable in advising us. He has helped our accounts team so much and they now absolutely love Xero!”

David Sharp, D.B. Sharp and Sons Limited

“Stock taking was a nightmare and we kept everything on spreadsheets until we spoke to the team. Switching over to Xero was an easy process.”

Mick Ginn, Macron Store Hertfordshire

“One of my previous headaches was always the absence of reliable management information and that often consumed my time unnecessarily. Since working with the team, they have implemented new systems, enhanced existing systems and they provide information on a monthly basis which is accurate and clearly communicated. This allows me to spend time doing what I should be doing.

Combine that with their sector expertise, knowledge and professionalism we would have no hesitation in recommending their services to anyone.”

Sheldon Paule, Cameron Kennedy

“We’ve always found the team to be responsive, helpful, and proactive in suggesting ways for us to improve our processes. In particular, we have been happy with the move from Sage to Xero, which has made our lives much easier as we grow our business.”

Jack Waley-Cohen, what3words
total negotiation group

“As our accountants and advisors, the Smart Accountants have always been on hand to support our business but recently they helped the sale of our business to an Employee Ownership Trust. Ultimately this transaction helped us with obtaining a fair price for the business, ensuring long-term succession, and rewarding our employees. The team supported us from the very initial advice and planning stage right through to the implementation and were on hand to offer their expertise throughout.”

Mark Cranstoun, Total Negotiation Group

VAT Consultancy

Throughout your business journey, you’ll likely have many events where careful VAT planning and specialist advice is required, such as the below examples:

  • Property transactions e.g. purchasing, building, selling, letting etc

  • Group restructuring, acquisitions or disposals

  • Launching new products or services where you’re unsure on the VAT status, including anything overseas transactions

At The Smart Accountants, we have VAT specialists with significant experience dealing with complex VAT issues across a number of different industries over the years. Therefore, with us, you can be confident that our advisers will be able to support with VAT issues ranging from partial exemptions or industry specific issues such as the reverse charge within the construction industry. We’ll be able to provide reviews and advise you to reduce risk but we can also liaise with HMRC on any VAT disputes.

The Next Steps

If you’d like further information or to discuss our VAT return or advisory services, please get in touch and one of our experts will be happy to talk to you.

Please call us on 0845 606 9632, email us at team@thesmartaccountants.co.uk or complete the contact form below.