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Please note that we are not the HMRC tax office; their contact number is 0300 200 3700.

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Testimonials

"Client service is of the utmost importance to us as a firm of Accountants and Business Advisors. Having the ability to be able to contact David Miller for immediate advice on VAT and Customs issues ensures that we are able to deliver our efficient tax service successfully and fulfil our client's expectations, especially in circumstances when they ask for guidance on crucial matters which require a tight deadline. Having the ability to engage David's service to attend client's HMRC visits has proved invaluable, particularly as David's knowledge is often superior to that of the Officer in attendance! David also offers creative planning solutions to problems and is very proactive with advice as soon as any legislation changes are known. We could not offer the same quality of service to our clients without David and his team."

Annette Stone, Mark Holt and Co

"The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes have had a close relationship with The VAT People for the past seven years as they have helped to steer us through the complex process of reclaiming overpaid VAT and successfully accomplishing our de-registration from VAT. They have been able to quickly grasp the nature of our organisation and clearly see the arguments needed to persuade HMRC of our case. The VAT People also had the persistence to continue pursuing our claim until a satisfactory outcome. Rob McCann has always made time to be available whenever his expertise has been required to explain the ongoing situation to our governing trustees and committees. His helpful nature and ability to understand and explain complicated areas of the law has been appreciated and valued."

Simon Kevin, Speechley

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Latest Case Studies

Partial Exemption Review - saving of £61,000Recovering £60,000 VAT for Property DeveloperDisaggregation Notice Served by HMRC - £50,000 savingThe importance of choosing the correct date of registrationPension scheme at risk of losing £60k
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Useful Information

Get the vital information you need quickly and easily by watching one of our guidance videos - topics include VAT assessments and penalties, VAT for charities, and maximising VAT recovery.

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Meet the Team

Rob McCann

Director VAT & Customs Services

Steve Howard

VAT Consultant

Tamara Habberley

VAT Consultant

Jack Ray-Atkins

VAT & Customs Consultant

David Miller

Director Customs and International VAT Consultant
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Company Details

The VAT People are leading VAT and Customs Duty consultants in the UK. We work with clients all over the country and recent research has shown that we are one of the UK's largest and most comprehensive sources of VAT and Customs advice.

Trinity House, Newby Road Industrial Estate,
Newby Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport,
SK7 5DA

0161 477 6600
0161 477 8300
enquiries@thevatpeople.co.uk

Latest News

Postponed VAT Accounting Under HMRC Scrutiny - Are You Using It Correctly?

Postponed VAT Accounting sits at the intersection of VAT law and customs procedure. Misunderstanding usually arises from ownership analysis or from failing to align import arrangements with partial exemption or non-business restrictions..

What The Boehringer Case Could Mean for Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Companies

The VAT People examine the Boehringer case and its potential impact on VAT accounting for healthcare and pharmaceutical businesses. Find out more.

Cascade Care v HMRC: When VAT Exemption Was Not the Desired Outcome

The VAT People explain the Cascade Care v HMRC case and how the Tribunal applied VAT exemption to healthcare services. Read more now.

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Advice Hub

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Our expert VAT consultants are always looking for ways to improve the training and advice they give. This advice hub is packed with the latest articles and news about VAT, hints and tips for accountants and businesses, blogs, infographics and all kinds of other useful content about VAT.

For more information about anything here, or to talk to our expert team, call our free helpline on 0161 477 6600 or use our contact form and we will get back to you.

What Charities Should Know About VAT Planning

For charities in the UK, VAT treatment often differs from other organisations due to the mix of non-business, exempt, zero-rated, and taxable activities they carry out. A frequent misunderstanding is that charitable status removes VAT obligations altogether, when in practice, charities remain subject to VAT rules in many areas. The way income is generated, how costs are incurred, and how activities are structured all influence the amount of VAT that can be recovered and reported to HMRC.
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Exempt Supplies and the Effect on Input VAT Recovery

For many charities and not-for-profit organisations, understanding what Value Added Tax (VAT) they’re expected to pay can be confusing. A common misconception is that charities are automatically exempt from VAT. In reality, the VAT system applies to charities just as it does to commercial businesses, but with a unique set of rules, zero-ratings, and exemptions that can create confusion.
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Business and Non-Business Income Received By Charities

While VAT applies to taxable activities undertaken by charities in much the same way as for businesses whose purpose is to generate profit, there are a number of specific considerations for charitable organisations. Activities undertaken should also be identified as whether being done for a business or non-business purpose, as this will have an impact from a VAT perspective.
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How to Calculate Input Value Added Tax (VAT)

For any trading business, it is important to understand how to calculate input Value Added Tax (VAT). In this article, we look at how to calculate input VAT while diving further into input and output VAT.
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VAT Registration Guide for Accountants

Although Rachel Reeves’ Budget on 26th November 2025 did not introduce any changes to the UK VAT registration threshold, it remains important for businesses - and accountants supporting their clients - to stay prepared for any future amendments. With this in mind, we have created this guide to help you stay informed and ready should further updates arise.
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Charities - Available VAT Reliefs on Purchases

Certain purchases made by registered charities become liable to the zero or reduced-rate, whereas when purchased by a business, these would often be liable to the standard rate, however, the VAT reliefs charities can claim are limited in scope. This guide outlines the main areas where these reliefs are available, helping you understand how VAT applies to your organisation can help reduce costs and improve compliance.
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Do I Charge VAT as a Sole Trader?

This guide outlines key questions frequently raised by sole traders and explains how working with a VAT specialist such as The VAT People could improve your VAT management processes and support greater operational efficiency.
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A guide to VAT for residential property developers

Converting a property can be an incredibly long-winded and difficult task, which can take months or even years to complete. And while the physical labour involved in developing property is usually considered, the costing and tax issues associated with this process can be overlooked, despite the fact that they are of equal importance.
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