VAT - What's a retailer?

[vivente]

Basically I sell lawnmower parts online to mainly the public therefore I would consider myself to be an online retailer. I see that retailers are allowed to send out simplified invoices and they only have to issue VAT invoices to customers who request them. As I have customers throughout the world and I need to check ensure that the correct Tax Code in Sage is used depending on where the product is being shipped to and my girlfriend often deals with dispatch, as I hold down a fulltime job away from this business, and doesn't understand any of this nor wants to I'd much prefer to just send out a delivery note showing the line by line product costs, shipping total and total order value with no mention of VAT. That way I can send out all my deliveries out using the same delivery docket irrespective of country to which the product is being sent making my girlfriend very happy. I would then only have to issue a VAT invoice (simplified) out if requested by the customer.

Am I right that I can do this?

 

[ToYourInbox]

The first question is, is it financially advantageous to be VAT registered, or is your turnover over the VAT threshold?

 

[vivente]

The first question is, is it financially advantageous to be VAT registered, or is your turnover over the VAT threshold?

I'm over the threshold so have no choice. I went over during Sept.

 

[ToYourInbox]

Basically I sell lawnmower parts online to mainly the public therefore I would consider myself to be an online retailer. I see that retailers are allowed to send out simplified invoices and they only have to issue VAT invoices to customers who request them. As I have customers throughout the world and I need to check ensure that the correct Tax Code in Sage is used depending on where the product is being shipped to and my girlfriend often deals with dispatch, as I hold down a fulltime job away from this business, and doesn't understand any of this nor wants to I'd much prefer to just send out a delivery note showing the line by line product costs, shipping total and total order value with no mention of VAT. That way I can send out all my deliveries out using the same delivery docket irrespective of country to which the product is being sent making my girlfriend very happy. I would then only have to issue a VAT invoice (simplified) out if requested by the customer.

Am I right that I can do this?

In a word you are correct, yes you only have to send a VAT invoice out on request.

Hope the helps keeps your girlfriend happy

 

[vivente]

Brilliant. That will make my life, well my girlfriend's life some much easier

 

[ToYourInbox]

If you want to DM me your e-mail address, I'll send you the advice as per the HMRC website - I can't post a link yet as I haven't made 30 posts.