VAT registration

[inamess]

I'm hopefully looking to put my VAT registration application together this weekend with a view of applying on-line monday'ish -

Anyone have any recent VAT registration experience IE length of time before the number came through etc ??

 

[Airia]

Just filling my Application out also so would also be interested to know.

 

[Gavin22]

If you do it online through the HMRC website you usually get your number within 2-3 weeks.

 

[JulianHobbs]

2-3 weeks right now is the normal turn around (assuming the application is straight forward)

Julian Hobbs
Chartered Accountant

 

[David Griffiths]

As Julian says, it's a case of whether the application is straightforward. At least the online system checks the forms for obvious errors.

However, there are certain trades which have been used to defraud the VAT authorities, and registration in those trades ( or seemingly anything remotely connected with them) can take quite a bit longer. Mobile phones and anything to do with IT are obvious examples, but there are others.

 

[inamess]

THANKS !!!

But just out of interest what other areas of business would you class as high risk ?? Mobile's and CPU's being the obvious culprits

 

[David Griffiths]

It's not me who classifies them, it's HMRC!

Those are the only two areas that have caused grief to my clients, and boy were there some dull questions asked before the registration went through!

 

[lemonhemispheres]

Hi there,
I sent my application through 22 Dec 2008 online and it only took a week (guess they were quiet over xmas!) I'm an online retailer.

 

[inamess]

wow a week !!!!

I take it a month is about the average then

 

[lemonhemispheres]

It seemed a pretty quick process online, are you getting on ok with the forms that you need to fill out? I recall there were a couple of questions on there that had me scratching my head..

 

[JGOffshore]

Although the Isle of Man is not part of the UK or the EU we can register for VAT locally and this is a full GB registration. Average time at the moment is 2 working days. Heigh-ho - and that with a tiny staff too.