🧾 VAT Specialists · MTD Compliant · Mon–Sat

VAT Accountants London — Premium VAT Returns & MTD Specialists.

Comprehensive VAT compliance for UK SMEs — quarterly returns under Making Tax Digital, scheme selection (Standard, Flat Rate, Cash Accounting, Annual Accounting, Margin schemes), Domestic Reverse Charge for construction, partial exemption, and international VAT. Three premium tiers from £195 to £495 per quarter. Registration support, scheme advice, and submissions handled by a dedicated account manager — Mon-Sat 10am-7pm with same-day callback.

Find my VAT scheme → 💬 WhatsApp our VAT team
£195+
Per Quarter From
£90K
Registration Threshold
MTD
Compliant Since 2022
4.8★
100+ Reviews
If any of this sounds familiar

Sound like your VAT situation?

VAT is the most complex of UK taxes for SMEs — registration thresholds, multiple schemes, MTD requirements, sector-specific rules. Most clients arrive with the same handful of frustrations. We sort all of them.

📈

"I'm approaching the £90K threshold"

VAT registration is mandatory once you cross £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. We monitor your turnover, register you on time, set up your VAT software and first quarterly cycle — turning what feels like a cliff edge into a planned transition.

❓

"I don't know which VAT scheme to use"

Standard, Flat Rate, Cash Accounting, Annual Accounting, Margin Scheme — each has a use case. Wrong scheme costs you money or admin time. Use the VAT Decision Tool below or book a free intake call for a tailored recommendation.

📱

"MTD for VAT is confusing me"

MTD VAT has been mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses since April 2022 — digital records and digital submissions through MTD-compatible software. We set up Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or Sage as part of onboarding and handle every submission digitally.

🏗️

"Construction Domestic Reverse Charge confuses me"

DRC for construction (since March 2021) means subcontractors don't charge VAT to main contractors — the customer accounts for both sides. Wrong invoicing here triggers HMRC enquiries and lost cash flow. Our Premium tier handles DRC correctly.

🌍

"My e-commerce VAT is chaos"

Amazon, Shopify, eBay, international sales, EU OSS, exports — e-commerce VAT touches multiple jurisdictions and place-of-supply rules. Plus and Premium tiers handle multi-marketplace sellers and international VAT compliance routinely.

⚠️

"I missed a VAT deadline and got penalised"

HMRC's points-based penalty system charges £200 once you accumulate 4 points (quarterly filers). With LOYALS we send reminders 30, 14 and 3 days before every deadline, file before the deadline as standard, and points simply don't accrue.

What we actually do

Your VAT compliance, handled end-to-end.

From registration support through scheme selection to quarterly submissions — every aspect of VAT, one fixed quarterly fee per tier.

The LOYALS VAT Returns & MTD service

VAT is the single most complex compliance obligation for UK SMEs. Wrong scheme choice costs cash flow. Wrong rate application triggers HMRC enquiries. Late filing accrues penalty points. Missing reverse charge rules in construction means losing money. Our service handles every part of VAT compliance for one fixed quarterly fee per tier — registration support, scheme selection and switching, MTD-compatible software setup, all 4 quarterly submissions, year-round VAT advice, and cross-border or sector-specific complexity in higher tiers.

If you're approaching the £90,000 threshold, already registered, or running a complex VAT scheme, we have a tier that fits. Three premium packages from £195 to £495 per quarter — covering everything from simple B2B services to construction Domestic Reverse Charge to multi-marketplace e-commerce sellers. All prices excluding VAT.

Three premium packages · £195 to £495/quarter
Premium tier-based packages

Three quarterly packages, scaled to your VAT complexity.

Tiers reflect the complexity of your VAT situation — single rate vs mixed rates, Standard scheme vs special schemes, domestic vs international, single sector vs construction reverse charge. Use the VAT Decision Tool below to find your fit.

VAT Standard

Simple business · Single rate
£195
per quarter (excl. VAT)
£780/year inclusive
  • Standard or Flat Rate Scheme
  • 4 quarterly VAT submissions
  • MTD-compliant filing
  • Single VAT rate (most B2B services)
  • VAT registration support if needed
  • Scheme advice on intake
  • Year-round WhatsApp support
  • Best for: B2B services, small retailers, freelancers
Choose Standard →

VAT Plus

Mid-complexity · E-commerce
£295
per quarter (excl. VAT)
£1,180/year inclusive
  • Everything in VAT Standard
  • Cash Accounting or Annual Accounting
  • Mixed VAT rates (5%, 0%, exempt)
  • E-commerce VAT (Amazon/Shopify)
  • Standard EU/international sales
  • Multi-rate restaurant/hospitality
  • Scheme switching analysis
  • Best for: e-commerce, hospitality, mid-size SMEs
Choose Plus →

VAT Premium

Complex schemes · International
£495
per quarter (excl. VAT)
£1,980/year inclusive
  • Everything in VAT Plus
  • Domestic Reverse Charge (construction)
  • Margin Scheme (used goods, antiques)
  • Tour Operators' Margin Scheme
  • Partial exemption calculations
  • International multi-jurisdiction VAT
  • Priority WhatsApp + quarterly review call
  • Best for: construction CIS, multi-marketplace, niche schemes
Choose Premium →

Approaching the £90K threshold? VAT registration support is included free in all tiers. We handle the application, set up your software, brief you on the first quarter, and ensure you're MTD-ready from day one — typically completed inside 2-3 weeks.

Every tier includes

Eight deliverables, all bundled.

No add-ons for registration support, scheme switching, or HMRC correspondence. The price quoted is the price you pay.

✓

Quarterly VAT Submissions

4 quarterly returns prepared, reviewed and filed digitally with HMRC through MTD-compatible software. Filed before the deadline as standard.

✓

VAT Scheme Selection

Tailored advice on the right VAT scheme for your business — Standard, Flat Rate, Cash Accounting, Annual Accounting, or Margin schemes. Switching analysis included.

✓

VAT Registration Support

If approaching the £90K threshold or wanting to register voluntarily, we handle the application, MTD setup, and first quarter onboarding — typically 2-3 weeks total.

✓

MTD-Compatible Software

Setup on Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage or bridging software like 123 Sheets. MTD digital connection authorised with HMRC. Bank feeds connected.

✓

Deadline Reminders

Notifications 30, 14 and 3 days before every quarterly deadline. We file before the deadline as standard — penalty points don't accrue for active clients.

✓

HMRC Correspondence

Any HMRC VAT queries, notices or enquiries handled on your behalf at our standard rate. Routine responses included; complex enquiries quoted separately.

✓

Year-Round Support

WhatsApp, phone and email throughout the year. Mid-quarter VAT questions, scheme reviews, software issues — all covered, no per-call charges. Mon-Sat 10am-7pm.

✓

Free Switching Service

Free transition from your current VAT accountant. We handle the clearance letter, retrieve records, audit existing categorisation, reconcile opening position.

How it works

Four steps from "VAT confused" to fully compliant.

From WhatsApp to first quarterly submission usually takes 2-3 weeks. New registrations complete inside 4 weeks total.

1

Free intake call

30-min call to assess your VAT situation, recommend the right tier and scheme, agree fixed fee upfront.

2

Setup & registration

If new to VAT: registration with HMRC, software setup, MTD authorisation. If switching: clearance letter and onboarding.

3

Quarterly cycle

Records reviewed, VAT calculated, return prepared and filed digitally before the deadline. Reminder notifications sent.

4

Year-round oversight

Scheme reviews when your situation changes, HMRC correspondence handled, threshold monitoring, ongoing compliance.

Why people choose LOYALS for VAT

Three reasons we're not just ticking the VAT box.

Most generalist accountants treat VAT as a quarterly filing chore. We treat it as a strategic compliance area where the wrong scheme, wrong codes or missed deadlines have real cash flow consequences.

🎯

Sector-specific expertise

Construction Domestic Reverse Charge, hospitality multi-rate, e-commerce marketplace VAT, Margin Scheme for second-hand goods. We have specialist experience in each — not just generic VAT processing. Our Premium tier exists because these areas need real knowledge.

🕐

Mon-Sat extended hours

VAT questions don't respect 9-5 hours. We're open Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm with same-day callback. Mid-quarter rate queries, software issues, HMRC letters — all handled with year-round WhatsApp and phone support included in your fee.

🔗

Integrated with your books

If you use our Bookkeeping Service alongside VAT Returns, transactions are coded with correct VAT rates throughout the quarter — meaning faster filing, fewer queries, accurate input VAT capture. Your dedicated account manager has full visibility for scheme decisions.

Quick VAT decision tool

Should you register? Which scheme fits?

Four quick questions and we'll tell you whether you should register for VAT, which scheme suits your business, and the right LOYALS tier — with reasoning behind each recommendation.

VAT Registration & Scheme Decision Tool

Takes 30 seconds — no email required
1. What's your annual turnover?
2. What's your business type?
3. Are most of your customers VAT-registered (B2B) or end consumers (B2C)?
4. What's most important to you?
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—
—
Recommended VAT scheme:

—

Recommended LOYALS tier:

—

💬 WhatsApp this recommendation to LOYALS
⚡ 2024-26 VAT changes you need to know

Three VAT shifts affecting UK businesses now.

If your VAT advice is from before April 2024, the rules have moved. Three changes affect registration thresholds, penalties, and digital compliance — knowing them is the difference between smooth compliance and unwelcome surprises.

📈

Threshold raised

£85K→£90K

The VAT registration threshold rose from £85,000 to £90,000 from 1 April 2024 — the first increase since 2017. Deregistration threshold also rose to £88,000. Slightly more SMEs can now stay below threshold, but most growing businesses will still cross it within 2-3 years.

⚠️

New penalty regime

Default surcharge→Points-based

HMRC's points-based VAT penalty system replaced the old "default surcharge" system from January 2023. Each late return earns 1 point. £200 penalty triggers at 4 points (quarterly filers). Late payment surcharges separate. Points reset after 24 months of compliance.

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MTD VAT mandatory

Voluntary→All VAT-reg.

MTD for VAT became mandatory for ALL VAT-registered businesses from April 2022, regardless of turnover (previously only above £85K). Digital records and digital submissions through MTD-compatible software required. Old HMRC online VAT portal no longer accepts most submissions.

VAT knowledge base

Six things every UK VAT-registered business should understand in 2025/26.

Tap any card to flip and see the detail.

📊

VAT rates explained

20% standard, 5% reduced, 0% zero-rated, exempt.

Tap or hover

UK VAT rates

  • Standard 20% — most goods/services
  • Reduced 5% — fuel, mobility, kids car seats
  • Zero 0% — most food, books, kids clothes
  • Exempt — finance, education, postage
  • Outside scope — wages, dividends
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The 5 main schemes

Different schemes suit different businesses.

Tap or hover

VAT scheme options

  • Standard — most businesses
  • Flat Rate (FRS) — under £150K turnover
  • Cash Accounting — slow-paying customers
  • Annual Accounting — under £1.35M
  • Margin Scheme — used goods
📅

Quarterly deadlines

1 calendar month + 7 days after quarter end.

Tap or hover

Common VAT quarters

  • Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec quarters
  • Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct quarters
  • Feb/May/Aug/Nov quarters
  • Submission & payment due same day
  • Direct Debit gets +3 working days
🏗️

Domestic Reverse Charge

Construction VAT rule since March 2021.

Tap or hover

How DRC works

  • B2B construction services
  • Both parties VAT & CIS registered
  • Subcontractor doesn't charge VAT
  • Customer accounts for both sides
  • NOT applicable to end users
📱

MTD VAT software

Mandatory MTD-compatible platforms.

Tap or hover

Compatible options

  • Xero — most popular
  • QuickBooks Online
  • FreeAgent (free with Mettle/RBS)
  • Sage Business Cloud Accounting
  • 123 Sheets — bridging for spreadsheets
🌍

International VAT

Brexit changed the rules — here's what now.

Tap or hover

Cross-border VAT

  • EU B2B: zero-rated with EORI
  • EU B2C: One Stop Shop (OSS)
  • Non-EU: zero-rated exports
  • Digital services: place-of-supply rules
  • Amazon FBA: marketplace deemed supplier
KN ★
★ Your dedicated account manager

Meet Kris Nick.

Dedicated Account Manager · Manages VAT compliance for clients across London

Kris is your single point of contact for everything VAT — registration, scheme selection, quarterly submissions, mid-quarter rate queries, HMRC correspondence, and the strategic decisions when your business situation changes (turnover crossing scheme thresholds, new revenue streams, international expansion). The LOYALS team handles VAT for hundreds of London SMEs across construction, hospitality, e-commerce and professional services. No outsourced labour, no per-call charges. Year-round WhatsApp access, Mon-Sat 10am-7pm extended hours.

Book a free 15-min call →

Stop dreading the VAT quarter every three months.

Three premium tiers, MTD-compatible software setup included, all 4 quarterly submissions handled, scheme advice baked in, deadline reminders before every quarter. If you're approaching £90K, already registered, or running a complex VAT scheme, we have a tier that fits. Free intake call confirms the right fit.

Mon-Sat 10am-7pm MTD-ready since 2022 Free registration support Same-day callback
Book my free 15-min call → 💬 WhatsApp instead
VAT questions

Frequently asked questions.

Updated for 2025/26 with the £90,000 threshold from April 2024. If your question isn't here, message us on WhatsApp or book a free 15-minute call.

How much does a VAT accountant cost with LOYALS?+
Three premium quarterly packages based on your VAT complexity. VAT Standard at £195/quarter (£780/year) covers simple businesses with a single VAT rate, mostly B2B services, and standard quarterly returns. VAT Plus at £295/quarter (£1,180/year) is our most popular tier covering mid-complexity businesses, e-commerce platforms, mixed VAT rate situations, and growing SMEs. VAT Premium at £495/quarter (£1,980/year) handles construction Domestic Reverse Charge, partial exemption, Margin Scheme, Tour Operators' Margin Scheme, international VAT and complex multi-rate businesses. All tiers include MTD-compliant submission, scheme advice, registration support if needed, and year-round support. All prices excluding VAT.
What is the VAT registration threshold in 2025/26?+
The VAT registration threshold rose to £90,000 from 1 April 2024 (up from £85,000 where it had been frozen since 2017). You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, OR if you expect to exceed £90,000 in the next 30 days alone. The deregistration threshold is £88,000. You can also register voluntarily below the threshold if you want to claim input VAT on purchases — typically beneficial for B2B service businesses with VAT-registered clients, less commonly beneficial for B2C businesses where VAT becomes a real cost to your customers.
What is Making Tax Digital for VAT?+
Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTD VAT) has been mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses since April 2022, regardless of turnover. It requires VAT-registered businesses to keep digital records using MTD-compatible software and submit VAT returns digitally through API connections (not through HMRC's online portal). Compatible software includes Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage, and bridging software like 123 Sheets for those who want to keep using spreadsheets. MTD VAT is separate from MTD for Income Tax (which starts April 2026 for sole traders and landlords above £50K). If you're VAT-registered, you need MTD VAT now.
Which VAT scheme should I use?+
It depends on your business type, customer mix, and turnover. Standard VAT scheme suits most established businesses — charge VAT on sales, claim input VAT on purchases, file quarterly. Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) is available for businesses with turnover under £150,000 and pays a fixed % of gross turnover (varies 4-16.5% by industry) which can be simpler and sometimes more profitable. Cash Accounting Scheme suits small businesses where customers pay slowly — VAT is due when you receive payment, not when you invoice. Annual Accounting Scheme is for established small businesses (under £1.35M turnover) wanting one annual return with monthly/quarterly payments on account. Margin schemes apply to second-hand goods, antiques, art. Construction businesses use Domestic Reverse Charge. Use our VAT Decision Tool above to find the right fit, or book a free intake call for a tailored recommendation.
What is the Domestic Reverse Charge for VAT?+
Domestic Reverse Charge for VAT (DRC) applies to specified construction services since 1 March 2021. Instead of the supplier (subcontractor) charging VAT to the customer (main contractor), the customer accounts for both sides of the VAT — they declare it as output VAT and reclaim it as input VAT on the same return. DRC applies to most B2B construction work between VAT-registered, CIS-registered businesses where the customer is not the end user. It does NOT apply to end users (e.g., homeowners) or zero-rated supplies. Construction subcontractors filing under DRC need careful invoicing — invoices must say 'reverse charge: customer to pay the VAT to HMRC' and not include VAT amounts. We handle DRC in our Premium tier and have specialist experience with CIS construction businesses.
When are VAT return deadlines?+
VAT returns are due 1 calendar month and 7 days after the end of each VAT quarter. So if your VAT quarter ends 31 March, your return AND payment are due by 7 May. If 30 June, due 7 August. If 30 September, due 7 November. If 31 December, due 7 February. Payment must arrive in HMRC's account by the deadline (allow 3 working days for bank transfers, or use Direct Debit which gives an extra 3 working days). Late submissions trigger HMRC's points-based penalty system: each late return earns 1 penalty point, with a £200 penalty triggered at 4 points (quarterly filers). Late payment surcharges apply on top — 2% at 15 days late, 4% at 30 days, plus daily interest at HMRC's late payment rate.
Should I voluntarily register for VAT?+
Generally beneficial if you're a B2B service business with VAT-registered clients (your clients reclaim the VAT you charge, so it doesn't increase your prices to them, and you can reclaim input VAT on your purchases). Generally NOT beneficial if you're a B2C business serving consumers or non-VAT-registered small businesses (VAT becomes a real 20% price increase to your customers, putting you at a competitive disadvantage). Approaching the £90K threshold gradually means voluntary registration around £75-85K can smooth the transition. We model your specific situation in our VAT Decision Tool and free intake call.
What if I'm late filing or paying VAT?+
HMRC operates a points-based penalty system since January 2023 for late VAT returns. Each late submission earns one penalty point. Quarterly filers trigger a £200 penalty at 4 points (annual filers at 2 points, monthly filers at 5 points). Each subsequent late return earns another £200 penalty. Points expire after 24 months of consistent on-time filing. Late payment is separate — 2% surcharge of unpaid VAT at 16-30 days late, additional 2% at 31+ days, plus daily interest at HMRC's late payment rate. Time-to-Pay arrangements are possible if you can't pay by the deadline. With LOYALS we file well before the deadline and send reminders 30, 14 and 3 days before — penalty points don't accrue for active clients.
Can you handle VAT for e-commerce and international sales?+
Yes — included in our Plus and Premium tiers. E-commerce VAT involves UK domestic sales (standard rules), B2B sales to other EU countries (zero-rated with EORI number), B2C distance selling to EU (One Stop Shop registration required), sales to non-EU (zero-rated exports), and Amazon/eBay marketplace sales (where the platform may be the deemed supplier). International services have their own place-of-supply rules. We routinely handle Amazon FBA businesses, Shopify stores, eBay sellers and SaaS exporters. The complexity reflects in our Plus tier (£295/quarter) for standard e-commerce, Premium tier (£495/quarter) for multi-marketplace or significant international volume.
How does VAT integrate with your other LOYALS services?+
Tightly. If you use our Bookkeeping Service alongside VAT Returns, the books are already coded with the correct VAT rates throughout the quarter — meaning faster filing, less back-and-forth, and accurate input VAT capture. VAT data feeds the Annual Accounts and Corporation Tax service for limited companies, the Self Assessment service for sole traders, and the Tax Planning Workshop where we model VAT scheme alternatives against your actual figures. Your dedicated account manager has visibility across all your tax obligations, so we can flag when scheme changes might benefit you (e.g., turnover crossing the FRS threshold). Combined services typically reduce overall annual fees by 10-15% versus piecemeal pricing.

Related LOYALS pages

Other services that pair tightly with VAT compliance for full operational support.

📚 Bookkeeping Services 📱 MTD for Income Tax 🏢 Annual Accounts & CT 👤 Self Assessment 🏗️ CIS Specialists (£350) 📊 Tax Planning Workshop 📄 Ltd Co Formation 🔄 Switching Accountants (Free) 🚀 Business Mentor Programme 📋 All LOYALS Services 🧮 Free Tax Calculators 💷 All Service Fees

Ready for VAT compliance you actually trust?

Three premium tiers, MTD-compatible software setup included, all quarterly submissions handled, scheme advice and registration support baked in. Sign up in 5 minutes and we'll have you VAT-compliant within 2-3 weeks — Mon-Sat 10am-7pm extended hours, same-day callback, no per-call charges, no penalty point accrual.

Book my free 15-min call →
Important: All prices on this page are exclusive of VAT. MTD-compatible software fees (typically £20-£50/month for Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or Sage) are paid by the client directly to the software provider — our service fees cover setup, ongoing management and the quarterly submissions. The VAT Decision Tool provides indicative recommendations only based on your inputs and may not capture all factors relevant to your specific situation. LOYALS is a firm of chartered accountants and is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority — we do not provide regulated investment, mortgage or insurance advice on this page.