Help filling first VAT return

[DoubleE91]

Hi all,
I recently registered for VAT even though I am under the threshold, as it will save me a lot of money (I previously paid VAT on all my raw materials, but my sales are mostly zero rated).

I've been keeping track of figures needed for my first period but the return is asking for more info than I was expecting. Of course I am able to calculate and provide anything necessary, but I want to make sure I understand each box.

What I have been tracking:
VAT charged to customers (private unregistered customers in the EU and UK) - BOX 1?
VAT I've paid buying materials in the UK - BOX 4?

I thought it would just want those two figures to combine and calculate my refund/what I owe (almost always going to be a refund). Going to have to check on the others:

BOX 2 - I'm assuming this would be any purchases in the EU for which I had supplied my VAT number and thus avoided paying VAT? So given my examples above, 0.

BOX 8 - If I had sold anything B2B within the EU. Also all the private unregistered sales on which I have charged VAT to calculate BOX 1 - correct?

BOX 6 - BOX 8 plus all my VAT exempt non-EU sales?

BOX 7 - Literally everything I've bought outside the EU + Box 9?

BOX 9 - Literally everything I've bought within the EU?

Thanks for any help

 

[DoubleE91]

Amendments:

BOX 9 *but not the UK
BOX 7 *and within the UK
BOX 8 *private unregistered sales within EU but NOT the UK
BOX 6 *plus UK sales

Think I've got it right now?

 

[Scalloway]

How to fill in your VAT return

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ice-70012-filling-in-your-vat-return#section3

I would suggest investing in some accounting software, as that should be able to produce your VAT return at the touch of a button.

 

[Joe Smith780]

Yep I agree with Scalloway, accounting software or an accountant will help a lot and avoid costly mistakes.