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

Tax on UK resident beneficiaries of non-resident trusts ― overview

Tax on UK resident beneficiaries of non-resident trusts ― overviewIntroductionUK resident beneficiaries of non-resident trusts are subject to UK tax on payments or benefits received from the trust. They are liable for income tax on income distributions from the trust and they may also be liable to

14 Jul 2020 13:47 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more

Short-term business visitors (STBVs)

Short-term business visitors (STBVs)What is a short-term business visitor?An STBV for UK tax purposes is an individual who performs duties for a non-UK employer and as a part of those duties has been asked to spend a short period working in the UK. There is a common misconception that there is

Read more Read more

UK VAT invoice requirements

UK VAT invoice requirementsThis guidance note provides details of the information that must be shown on a valid tax invoice. Businesses supplying goods and services that are liable to the standard or reduced rate of VAT are required to issue a tax invoice to another VAT registered person.If the

14 Jul 2020 13:46 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more