Businesses claiming UK VAT refunds

Claims can only be made until 31 March 2021 after which time the ability to claim online through your own EU member state tax authority’s website will cease. EU companies will continue to be able to claim UK VAT after 31 March 2021 as the UK will continue to offer the 13th Directive equivalent.

Any UK VAT incurred after 1 January 2021 will need to be recovered using this new procedure under which the claim is submitted directly to the UK tax authorities. The relevant claim period will change, the deadline, limits for claims as well as required documents will also change.

The claims should be submitted on the basis of a year running from 1 July to 30 June not on the basis of a calendar year as currently.

Background

There are a lot of changes from 1 January 2021 as the UK is not anymore an EU Member State. As the UK is no longer an EU Member State (MS), 8th Directive online claims in the own EU MS are not anymore possible.

The UK tax authorities (HMRC) has updated their guidance on 31 December 2020, see here.

Since the EU rules no longer apply to the UK from 2021, the process for reclaiming VAT has also changed from 1 January 2021. The website of the EU Tax Authorities can be used until March 31, 2021 at the latest to reclaim the UK VAT on invoices from 2020. After this, the EU business will have to submit the application directly to the HMRC.

Trade with the UK: VAT and customs consequences of Brexit

Read this article

Claims made until the 31st of March 2021

The current portal process for EU businessess will continue until the 31st March 2021, i.e. data only and copies where required. See more details here.

Corrections or additions relating to the refund applications (which have been submitted on time) may still be reported up to 31 December 2021.

Claims made after 31 of March 2021

Transitional rules will apply for VAT refunds on expenditure incurred in the UK on or before 31 December 2020. Online claims for invoices dated 1st January 2020 to the 31st December 2020 can be submitted until 31 March 2021.

Any UK VAT incurred after 1 January 2021 will need to be recovered using the procedure under which the claim is submitted directly to the UK tax authorities. This is similar to claims currently made by non-EU businesses. These claims can start to be submitted from 1 April 2021.

There are strict time limits for such claims and claims need to be submitted within 6 months after the end of the ‘prescribed year’ when you were charged the VAT. The prescribed year runs from 1 July to 30 June and you must make a claim by 31 December. If you miss the deadline, the UK tax authorities will not accept the claim. Generally, the UK tax authorities do not require businesses to appoint tax agents and do not require reciprocal treatment in the claimant’s country before repaying a claim.

New rules apply for UK VAT costs made after 2020

For on expenditure incurred in the UK after 31 December 2020, the new rules will apply. A separation has to be made after 2020 between:

• the GB and NI and
• supply of goods and services.

Northern Ireland (NI)

The current rules continue to apply for refunds of VAT related to supply of goods. This means that it is possible to use existing online 8th directive claims in your own MS, when it’s VAT on purchases of goods. For supply of services, the same rules will apply as for the GB.

See more details here.

VAT and Customs aspects of trade with the Northern Ireland after Brexit

Read this article

Great Britain (GB)

From 2021, EU businesses will no longer be able to submit online UK VAT refund requests via the EU portal. The UK has announced its intention to introduce its own online system. It will thus be possible to submit future refund requests online, similar to the current EU system. However, the claims are not possible via own EU MS after 31 March 2021 but have to be made directly to the HMRC instead. The system is currently being tested and is not yet available.

Changes from 1 January 2021 concerning the refunds of UK VAT costs incurred after 1 January 2021.

• UK HMRC will be offering EU businesses VAT reclaim possibilities, this be based on the existing 13th Directive procedure.
• Claim limits (minimum refund amount), will change.
• Documents that need to be submitted also change, e.g., EU companies will need physical original invoices, tax certificates and claim forms.
• Time limits will also change.
• Currently a claim period is a calendar year to be claimed within six months (nine months for EU businesses).
• The relevant claim period will change, claims should be submitted on the basis of a year running from 1 July to 30 June not on the basis of a calendar year as currently. For example, UK VAT costs made between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021 should be claimed by 31 December 2021.

Grant Thornton’s international indirect tax team and digital advisory team can assist you in your VAT refund claims as well as in any other VAT / customs matters. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your options and possibilities