Guide to completing a UK VAT return

Produced by a Tolley Value Added Tax expert
Value Added Tax
Guidance

Guide to completing a UK VAT return

Produced by a Tolley Value Added Tax expert
Value Added Tax
Guidance
imgtext

This guidance note provides information on the contents of a UK VAT return. Information on completing a VAT return for businesses using the flat rate scheme is included in the Flat rate scheme (FRS) ― operating the scheme guidance note.

Supplementary data for VAT returns

On 23 June 2026, it was suggested that, at some point in the future, there may be a requirement to include more information in VAT returns than the information listed below. It was suggested that data held within digital accounting systems could be used to support compliance and improve the effectiveness of the tax system.

Box 1: VAT due on sales and other outputs

This is the total amount of VAT charged on goods and services in the return period. (See the Time of supply ― overview guidance note)

Businesses should ensure they include VAT payable to HMRC for certain supplies which may be made outside their core business such as:

  1. •

    VAT due in the period on imports accounted for through postponed accounting (see the

Continue reading the full document
To gain access to additional expert tax guidance, workflow tools, generative tax AI, and tax research, register for a free trial of Tolley+™
Powered by Tolley+™
  • 01 Jul 2026 10:10

Popular Articles

Company cars

Company carsIntroductionCompany cars are one of the most common taxable benefits. The rules for calculating the benefit are complex, and the reporting requirements are more onerous than most benefits. Company cars are covered by very specific legislation. Detailed guidance on each of the following

14 Jul 2020 11:15 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more

Definition of a close company

Definition of a close companyThe detailed definition of a close company is set out below, but in summary the rules are targeted at those companies where the owners can manipulate the activities of the company to influence their own tax position. Therefore, broadly speaking, in most cases an

14 Jul 2020 11:24 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more

Self assessment ― estimates and provisional figures

Self assessment ― estimates and provisional figuresIf the taxpayer does not have sufficient information to enable them to complete the tax return in the time allowed, they should include either a best estimate or a provisional figure. The taxpayer should not either leave a box blank or enter

14 Jul 2020 13:37 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more