Value-Added Tax (VAT): Introduction
A
value-added tax is a consumption tax put on a product whenever a value is added
at every step of the supplied string, from production to the point of sale. The
amount of value-added tax (VAT) that the user spends is on the cost of the
goods, less any of the costs of materials used in the product that has already
been taxed.
Value-added
taxation is based on taxpayers' expenditure rather than their income. In
contrast to a rising income tax, which levies higher taxes on higher-level
earners, VAT registration in Dubai applies
equally to every purchase.
Value-added tax accounting methods
There are three options to the standard VAT accounting method:
1. Annual accounting
VAT scheme
It is just like the standard value-added tax
accounting method, except that you do not fill in quarterly returns. Instead,
you have an annual value-added tax reporting and payment deadline. Some
businesses hold this the same as their corporation tax filing date, for
uniformity.
Once you complete the value-added tax return,
you begin making quarterly interim payments for the value-added tax you
estimate that you will owe. This method enables you to budget more carefully,
and because payments are spread throughout the year, it' often sits better for
cash flow. Though, you may end up over-paying or under-paying HMRC at times, so
you may be needed to create a final balance payment or apply for a return.
Businesses with an annual turnover above £1.35 million can't use the annual
accounting scheme.
2.Flat rate scheme
According to this scheme, you pay a percentage
of your total income as a value-added tax. The exact amount you repay depends
on the type of business you run.
You
will still have to charge value-added tax on your invoices, but you do not have
to account for the value-added tax details of every purchase or sale. Only
smaller businesses, with annual income up to £150,000, can use this value-added
tax scheme. Check with HMRC to find out whether you are eligible.
3. Cash accounting
scheme
With cash accounting, your account for
value-added tax on the date you are paid as opposed to the date you send the
invoice. This would particularly valuable if you have slow payers since you
will not have to pay the value-added tax before you have been paid.
Nevertheless, this option is not well fitted
to businesses that buy a lot of items on credit. You cannot reclaim the VAT
until payment has been completed. As with the standard value-added tax
accounting method, you still have to complete your returns every quarter.
Businesses with an annual turnover above £1.35 million can't use the annual
accounting scheme.
Pros and Cons of VAT:
Pros:
- Substituting a value-added tax for other taxes would close tax loopholes.
- A value-added tax gives a stronger incentive to earn more money than a growing income tax does.
Cons:
- A value-added tax creates higher costs for businesses.
- It promotes tax evasion.
- It conflicts with the capacity of state and local governments to set their own sales tax levels.
- Passed-along costs lead to higher prices, a particular burden on low-income consumers.
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