The VAT People logo
0161 477 6600

Please note that we are not the HMRC tax office. HMRC tax office: 0300 200 3700

  • Success Stories
  • News
  • Get In Touch

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

Read all Testimonials

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
Read all Case Studies

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.

View Videos

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
View Our Full Team

Members Of

Sign Up to our Newsletter

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

VAT Advice for Opticians: VAT Rules on Glasses, Lenses and Dispensing

VAT is an important consideration for opticians, particularly because the sale of spectacles or contact lenses can involve more than one type of supply for VAT purposes. Understanding how VAT should be charged helps practices stay compliant and account for VAT correctly.

Should I Charge VAT as a Sole Trader?

Whether you need to register your business for VAT is determined by the value of your business’s taxable turnover, rather than the type of business in operation.You can register for VAT through mandatory or voluntary registration. When your business’s revenue exceeds the VAT registration threshold.

VAT Margin Scheme Failure: Tribunal Warns Second-Hand Dealers Over Record-Keeping

In a recent VAT Tribunal case, the First-tier Tax Tribunal ruled against RSK Cars Limited, finding that the company was not entitled to use the VAT margin scheme for its second-hand vehicle sales.

Read All News
Terms and conditions|
Privacy Policy|
Disclaimer|
Contact

Copyright © 2026 The VAT People | All rights reserved | Site design & development by I-COM

News

  • Home
  • |News

News

Welcome to our news section, where you can find all of our latest articles and newsletters, useful VAT advice and press releases. To ensure you never miss out on the latest news from The Vat People, why not sign up for our email newsletter?

Scroll down to read our news, explore our Advice Hub, read our latest newsletters and find out more about The Vat People Network.

Get in Touch

Please fill out this quick form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

Categories

  • All
  • VAT
  • Legislation
  • Advice

VAT Advice for Opticians: VAT Rules on Glasses, Lenses and Dispensing

VAT is an important consideration for opticians, particularly because the sale of spectacles or contact lenses can involve more than one type of supply for VAT purposes. Understanding how VAT should be charged helps practices stay compliant and account for VAT correctly.
Rob McCann
VAT
Read more

Should I Charge VAT as a Sole Trader?

Whether you need to register your business for VAT is determined by the value of your business’s taxable turnover, rather than the type of business in operation.You can register for VAT through mandatory or voluntary registration. When your business’s revenue exceeds the VAT registration threshold.
Rob McCann
VAT
Read more
Jun 1, 2026

VAT Margin Scheme Failure: Tribunal Warns Second-Hand Dealers Over Record-Keeping

In a recent VAT Tribunal case, the First-tier Tax Tribunal ruled against RSK Cars Limited, finding that the company was not entitled to use the VAT margin scheme for its second-hand vehicle sales.
Rob McCann
VATAdvice
Read more
May 28, 2026

Best Practices for VAT Compliance That Keep Businesses Out of Trouble

Maintaining VAT compliance requires more than technical knowledge. It requires consistent application, clear processes and the ability to identify and manage risk before issues arise. With extensive HMRC and industry experience, The VAT People provide practical, commercially focused advice that helps businesses remain compliant while managing their VAT position effectively.
Rob McCann
VATAdvice
Read more
Apr 29, 2026

Can a UK Business Reclaim EU VAT?

The VAT People provide specialist, practical advice to support UK businesses in recovering VAT incurred outside the UK and managing the associated compliance requirements. With extensive experience across EU jurisdictions and a detailed understanding of HMRC and overseas authority expectations, the focus is on delivering accurate, defensible outcomes.
Rob McCann
VATAdvice
Read more
Apr 27, 2026

Challenging HMRC’s VAT Treatment for Fly by Nite Rehearsal Studios

Fly by Nite Rehearsal Studios provides fully equipped rehearsal facilities for touring productions, alongside integrated services including rigging, crew, equipment hire and security. HMRC challenged the VAT treatment applied by the business, arguing that its supplies should be treated as exempt from VAT. Find out how The VAT People supported the business in challenging this position and achieving a commercially appropriate outcome.
Rob McCann
VAT
Read more
Apr 20, 2026

VAT on Donated Goods to Charities April 2026 Changes Explained

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) revised its guidance on the VAT treatment of goods donated by VAT-registered businesses to charities, specifically where those goods are intended for onward donation or use in a charity’s non-business activities. These changes took effect from 1 April 2026 and provide a clearer, more structured framework for determining when a VAT charge does not arise on such donations. Read more here
Steve Howard
LegislationVATAdvice
Read more
Mar 16, 2026

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..
Jack Ray-Atkins
Legislation
Read more
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5