VAT Visit?

[Paul_M]

Hi Folks I have a VAT visit question and its making me restless.

Today I received a call from someone from a VAT office, she asked could an officer come and visit me at my place of work, I informed her I worked from home and wouldn't be keen on that.

She was really helpful and said I could visit a local office.

I asked was it an inspection and she said "no its not an inspection, we just like to speak to newly registered businesses about VAT." (I have been paying VAT for 1 year.)

She said she would send a letter of what I would need to take, but I wouldn't need books/accounts/records and said once I get the letter to call and make an appointment.

I haven't heard of anything like this before, anyone know what these "visits" is about and should I be concerned?

Thanks in advance :)

[Philip Hoyle]

HMRC VAT used to phone newly registered businesses to offer advice re VAT schemes etc. As we often act as agents, giving our contact phone number, they used to phone us and we politely explained that we would be "training" the client about VAT - upon being told that, they marked their record and that was the end of the matter.

I suspect that your call was just the same - just offering help if you need it. If you are happy you don't need help, then just tell them. If they don't want to see your records, it's hardly going to be an inspection, so nothing to worry about. Like all direct dealings with HMRC staff, be as vague as possible and don't commit yourself to anything - never be afraid to say "I'll have to think about that and get back to you", or "I need to ask my accountant". The last thing you want to do is give away anything that may come back to haunt you. I really doubt that this initial contact is anything untoward, especially if you're recently VAT registered, but just be wary.

[Paul_M]

Thanks Philip, it was out of the blue and as I have had no contact with them in that respect I instantly went on the defensive, even though I know I have done nothing wrong!! Thanks for your input :)

[akirk]

I have been visited twice in running different companies...

The first was a VC backed R&D company reclaiming a lot of VAT but paying very little - nett income for the business they came for about an hour to check our books - all fine they went away happy

The second was for this current company when we registered for VAT and had a large claim in the first return from all our startup kit etc they came basically to check that we were valid and had the kit - chap was okay but not that knowledgeable I had to show him VAT rules in their online book which he didn't know about (discounted invoicing)

But nothing to worry about either time

Alasdair

[elainec100@cheapaccounting]

I get these all the time for newly registered clients - job creation by HMRC who complain that they are under staffed!

If you are being advised by an accountant then IMO this will be much better than anything HMRC can tell you.

You do not have to have this introductory visit - just say thank you very much but not required.

[Paul_M]

akirk & elainec100 thanks! I have been really worried, I feel much more relaxed about it now, I will await the letter and if it is just the introductory service I will breath a huge sigh of relief! :)

[Stretchy]

akirk & elainec100 thanks! I have been really worried, I feel much more relaxed about it now, I will await the letter and if it is just the introductory service I will breath a huge sigh of relief! :)


Think yourself lucky, I had them turn up completley unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. They were perfectly friendly but knew very little about VAT which meant the visit look a bit longer than expected.

Nothing makes your heart drop like a call to say that there are a couple of people downstairs from HMRC who want to see you though.:(

[KidsBeeHappy]

When we sold antiques online we had a request for a meeting so that the inspector could learn all about online selling and ebay.

Bizarre.

[akirk]

I think that as long as you are doing nothing dodgy and keeping the records properly then they seem pretty reasonable... feed them tea and chocolate biscuits :)

Alasdair