In certain situations, customers must account for VAT due, such as purchasing services from overseas suppliers, deregistering goods with claimed input tax, applying the domestic reverse charge (DRC), and supplying mobile phones/computer chips. Failure to do so can result in HMRC penalties and interest. Simple accounting entries can resolve these issues, but accurate recording is crucial for avoiding penalties.
Reverse Charge and Self-Supply VAT Overview
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United Kingdom
Author: Ema Stamenković
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Content accuracy validation date:
21.10.2025
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Normally, suppliers account for VAT, but in specific cases, the customer must account for VAT due. Here are crucial situations:
Purchasing Services from Abroad (Reverse Charge)
- Services from overseas suppliers are VAT-free.
- Recipients apply the reverse charge, acting as both supplier and recipient on the same VAT return:
- Account for output tax (full supply value) in Box 1.
- Include VAT from Box 1 as input tax in Box 4 (subject to partial exemption/non-business rules).
- Record full supply value in Boxes 6 and 7.
- Value of Supply: Based on consideration paid (money or equivalent if non-monetary). Excludes UK VAT but includes foreign taxes.
- Time of Supply: When payment is made or, for non-monetary consideration, the last day of the VAT period when services are performed.
- If input tax is fully attributable to taxable supplies, there’s no net cost. Otherwise, it mirrors a UK supply, ensuring fairness.
Deregistration
- Goods on hand at deregistration (value >£1,000) with claimed input tax trigger a self-supply.
- The business is deemed to supply itself, with output tax due but no input tax recovery.
Flat Rate Scheme
On leaving the flat rate scheme (while remaining VAT-registered), a self-supply applies to capital items with claimed input tax.
Domestic Reverse Charge (DRC)
- Applies to standard/reduced-rated construction services between VAT-registered construction businesses.
- The recipient accounts for VAT, paying it to HMRC instead of the supplier, and can reclaim it per normal VAT rules.
- DRC applies up the supply chain until the recipient is an end user (not making construction supplies).
Mobile Telephones and Computer Chips
- To combat missing trader intra-community fraud (MTIC), supplies of mobile phones/computer chips valued at £5,000+ between VAT-registered businesses are subject to reverse charge.
- The purchaser accounts for VAT, not the seller.
Road Fuel and Power for Private Use
- Business fuel used privately triggers a self-supply.
- VAT is based on HMRC’s road fuel scale charges (per vehicle, per quarter) or calculated using detailed mileage records for actual business use.
Land, Buildings, and Motor Cars
Specific self-supply rules apply to certain land, building, and motor trade transactions (details complex, not covered here).
Penalties
- Even if VAT-neutral, failing to apply reverse charge/self-supply can lead to HMRC penalties and interest.
- Simple accounting entries can resolve issues if recognized and recorded correctly.
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