Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Value Added Tax Act 1994

Type Public General Act

Publication 1994-07-05

Last updated 2024-11-04

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(a) the opter is a body corporate that was, at any time before the relevant time, treated under sections 43A to 43D as a member of a group (“the group”), and

(b) before the relevant time, a relevant associate of the opter in relation to the building or land ceased to be treated under those sections as a member of the group without at the same time meeting the conditions in sub-paragraph (5).

(5) A person (“A”) meets the conditions in this sub-paragraph if—

(a) A has no relevant interest in the building or land,

(b) where A has disposed of such an interest, it is not the case that a supply for the purposes of the charge to VAT in respect of the disposal—

(i) is yet to take place, or

(ii) would be yet to take place if one or more conditions (such as the happening of an event or the doing of an act) were to be met, and

(c) A is not connected with any person who has a relevant interest in the building or land where that person is the opter or another relevant associate of the opter.

(6) Condition C is that the opter is a body corporate and, at the relevant time, a relevant associate of the opter in relation to the building or land—

(a) is treated under sections 43A to 43D as a member of the same group as the opter, and

(b) holds a relevant interest in the building or land or has held such an interest at any time within the previous 6 years.

(7) In this paragraph—

“relevant interest in the building or land” means an interest in, right over or license to occupy the building or land (or any part of it);

“the relevant time”, in relation to any option to tax, means the time from which the option would (but for this paragraph) have been treated as revoked as a result of paragraph 22(2) or (3) or 24;

“opter” means the person who exercised the option to tax in question.

Exclusion of new building from effect of an option

27

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) a person (“the taxpayer”) has at any time opted to tax any land,

(b) at any subsequent time the construction of a building (“the new building”) on the land begins, and

(2) The taxpayer may exclude—

(a) the whole of the new building, and

(b) all the land within its curtilage,

from the effect of the option if notification of that exclusion is given to the Commissioners.

(3) The exclusion has effect from the earliest of the following times—

(a) the time when a grant of an interest in, or in any part of, the new building is first made,

(b) the time when the new building, or any part of it, is first used,

(4) The notification of the exclusion must—

(za) be given before the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the day on which it is to have effect or such longer period as the Commissioners may in any case allow,

(a) be made in a form specified in a public notice,

(b) state the time from which it is to have effect, and

(5) Sub-paragraphs (4) to (6) of paragraph 18 (meaning of “building”) apply for the purposes of this paragraph as they apply for the purposes of that paragraph.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph the reference to the construction of a building is to be read without regard to Note (17) or (18)(b) of Group 5 of Schedule 8 (which would otherwise apply as a result of paragraph 33 of this Schedule).

(7) The Commissioners may publish a notice for determining the time at which the construction of a building on any land is to be taken to begin for the purposes of this paragraph.

Pre-option exempt grants: requirement for prior permission before exercise of option to tax

28

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) a person wants to exercise an option to tax any land with effect from a particular day,

(b) at any time (“the relevant time”) before that day the person has made, makes or intends to make an exempt supply to which any grant in relation to the land gives rise, and

(2) The person may exercise the option to tax the land only if—

(a) the conditions specified in a public notice are met in relation to the land, or

(b) the person gets the prior permission of the Commissioners (but see also paragraph 30).

(3) The Commissioners must refuse their permission if they are not satisfied that there would be a fair and reasonable attribution of relevant input tax to relevant supplies.

(4) For this purpose—

“relevant input tax” means input tax incurred, or likely to be incurred, in relation to the land, and

“relevant supplies” means supplies to which any grant in relation to the land gives rise which would be taxable (if the option has effect).

(5) In deciding whether there would be a fair and reasonable attribution of relevant input tax to relevant supplies, the Commissioners must have regard to all the circumstances of the case.

(6) But they must have regard in particular to—

(a) the total value of any exempt supply to which any grant in relation to the land gives rise and which is made or to be made before the day from which the person wants the option to have effect,

(b) the expected total value of any supply to which any grant in relation to the land gives rise that would be taxable (if the option has effect), and

Paragraph 28: application for prior permission

29

(1) An application for the prior permission of the Commissioners under paragraph 28 must—

(a) be made in a form specified in a public notice,

(b) contain a statement by the applicant certifying which (if any) of the conditions specified in the public notice under paragraph 28(2)(a) are met in relation to the land, and

(2) The Commissioners may specify conditions subject to which their permission is given and, if any of those conditions are broken, they may treat the application as if it had not been made.

(3) If the applicant (A) gets the prior permission of the Commissioners, A is, as a result of this sub-paragraph, treated for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule as if A had exercised the option to tax the land with effect from—

(a) the start of the day on which the application was made, or

(b) the start of any later day specified in the application.

Paragraph 28: purported exercise where prior permission not obtained

30

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) an option to tax was purportedly exercised in a case where, before the option could be exercised, the prior permission of the Commissioners was required under paragraph 28, and

(b) notification of the purported option was purportedly given to the Commissioners in accordance with paragraph 20.

(2) The Commissioners may, in the case of any such option, subsequently dispense with the requirement for their prior permission to be given under paragraph 28.

(3) If the Commissioners dispense with that requirement, a purported option—

(a) is treated for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule as if it had instead been validly exercised, and

(b) has effect in accordance with paragraph 19.

Supplementary provisions

Timing of grant and supplies

31

(1) This paragraph applies if—

(a) an option to tax is exercised in relation to any land,

(b) a grant in relation to the land would otherwise be taken to have been made (whether in whole or in part) before the time when the option has effect, and

(2) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, the option to tax has effect, in relation to those supplies, as if the grant had been made after that time.

Supplies in relation to a building where part designed or intended for residential or charitable use and part designed or intended for other uses

32

Note (10) of Group 5 of Schedule 8 applies for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule.

Definitions in Schedules 8 or 9 that are applied for the purposes of this Schedule

33

In this Part of this Schedule, references to the expressions listed in the first column are to be read in accordance with the provisions listed in the second column—

Expression	Provision
building designed or adapted for use as a dwelling or a number of dwellings	Note (2) to Group 5 of Schedule 8
completion of a building	Note (2) to Group 1 of Schedule 9
construction of a building	Notes (16) to (18) to Group 5 of Schedule 8 (but see paragraph 27(6) of this Schedule)
construction of a building intended for use as a dwelling or a number of dwellings	Note (3) to Group 5 of Schedule 8
grant	Note (1) to Group 5 of Schedule 8/ Notes (1) and (1A) to Group 1 of Schedule 9
use for a relevant charitable purpose	Notes (6) and (12) to Group 5 of Schedule 8
use for a relevant residential purpose	Notes (4), (5) and (12) to Group 5 of Schedule 8 (but see paragraphs 6(9) and 10(4) of this Schedule)

Other definitions etc

34

(1) In this Part of this Schedule—

“notification” means written notification, and

“permission” means written permission.

(2) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule any question whether a person is connected with another person is to be decided in accordance with section 1122 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 ; but this is subject to sub-paragraph (2A).

(2A) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, a company is not connected with another company only because both are under the control of—

(a) the Crown,

(b) a Minister of the Crown,

(d) a Northern Ireland department.

(2B) In sub-paragraph (2A) “company” and “control” have the same meaning as in section 839 of the Taxes Act.

(3) Any reference in any provision of this Part of this Schedule to a public notice is to a notice published by the Commissioners for the purposes of that provision.

PART 2 — RESIDENTIAL AND CHARITABLE BUILDINGS: CHANGE OF USE ETC

Introductory

35

(1) This Part of this Schedule applies where one or more relevant zero-rated supplies relating to a building (or part of a building) have been made to a person (“P”).

(2) In this Part of this Schedule—

“relevant zero-rated supply” means a grant or other supply which relates to a building (or part of a building) intended for use solely for—a relevant residential purpose, ora relevant charitable purpose,and which, as a result of Group 5 of Schedule 8, is zero-rated (in whole or in part);

“relevant premises” means the building (or part of a building) in relation to which a relevant zero-rated supply has been made to P;

“relevant period”, in relation to relevant premises, means 10 years beginning with the day on which the relevant premises are completed.

(3) Where P is a person treated as a member of a group under sections 43A to 43D, any reference in this Part of this Schedule to P includes a reference to any member of that group.

Disposal of interest or change of use following relevant zero-rated supply

36

(1) Paragraph 37 applies on each occasion during the relevant period when—

(a) there is an increase in the proportion of the relevant premises falling within sub-paragraph (2) or (3), and

(b) as a result, the proportion of the relevant premises so falling (“R2”) exceeds the maximum proportion of those premises so falling at any earlier time in the relevant period (“R1”).

(2) The relevant premises fall (or part of the relevant premises falls) within this sub-paragraph if P has, since the beginning of the relevant period, disposed of P’s entire interest in the relevant premises (or part).

(3) The relevant premises fall (or a part of the relevant premises falls) within this sub-paragraph if—

(a) those premises do not (or that part does not) fall within sub-paragraph (2), and

(b) those premises are (or that part is) being used for a purpose that is neither a relevant residential purpose nor a relevant charitable purpose.

(4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies where—

(a) only a proportion of the use of the relevant premises (or the use of a part of those premises) is for a relevant residential purpose or a relevant charitable purpose, and

(b) that use is not confined to a part of those premises (or of that part) which is used solely for a relevant residential purpose or a relevant charitable purpose.

(5) Where this sub-paragraph applies, sub-paragraph (3) applies as if—

(a) the same proportion of the relevant premises (or part) were being used for a relevant residential purpose or a relevant charitable purpose, and

(b) the remainder of the relevant premises (or part) were being used for a purpose that is neither a relevant residential purpose nor a relevant charitable purpose.

(6) Where P is a charity using the relevant premises (or a part of the relevant premises) as a village hall or similarly in providing social or recreational facilities for a local community the premises are (or the part is) treated as being used for a relevant charitable purpose whether or not any person in occupation is using the premises (or part) for a relevant charitable purpose.

Charge to VAT

37

(1) Where this paragraph applies, P’s interest, right or licence in the relevant premises held immediately prior to the time when the increase referred to in paragraph 36(1) occurs is treated for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule as—

(a) supplied to P for the purposes of a business which P carries on, and

(b) supplied by P in the course or furtherance of that business

immediately prior to the time of that increase.

(2) The supply is taken to be a taxable supply which is not zero-rated as a result of Group 5 of Schedule 8.

(3) The value of the supply is taken to be—

(a) in the case of the first deemed supply under this paragraph, the amount obtained by the formula—

$R2×Y×(120−Z120)$, and

(b) in the case of any subsequent deemed supply under this paragraph, the amount obtained by the formula—

$(R2−R1)×Y×(120−Z120)$

(4) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) R1 and R2 have the meaning given by paragraph 36(1)(b),

(b) Y is the amount that yields an amount of VAT chargeable on it equal to—

(i) the VAT which would have been chargeable on the relevant zero-rated supply, or

(ii) if there was more than one supply, the aggregate amount of the VAT which would have been chargeable on the supplies,

had the relevant premises not been intended for use solely for a relevant residential purpose or a relevant charitable purpose, and

Supplies in relation to a building where part designed for residential or charitable use and part designed for other uses

38

Note (10) of Group 5 of Schedule 8 applies for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule.

Definitions

39

In this Part of this Schedule, references to the expressions listed in the first column are to be read in accordance with the provisions listed in the second column—

Expression	Provision
completion of a building	Note (2) to Group 1 of Schedule 9
grant	Note (1) to Group 5 of Schedule 8/ Notes (1) and (1A) to Group 1 of Schedule 9
use for a relevant charitable purpose	Notes (6) and (12) to Group 5 of Schedule 8
use for a relevant residential purpose	Notes (4), (5) and (12) to Group 5 of Schedule 8

PART 3 — GENERAL

Benefit of consideration for grant accruing to a person other than the grantor

40

(1) This paragraph applies if the benefit of the consideration for the grant of an interest in, right over or licence to occupy land accrues to a person (“the beneficiary”) other than the person making the grant.

(2) The beneficiary is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as the person making the grant.

(3) So far as any input tax of the person actually making the grant is attributable to the grant, it is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as input tax of the beneficiary.

SCHEDULE 10A

Meaning of “face-value voucher” etc

1

(1) In this Schedule “face-value voucher” means a token, stamp or voucher (whether in physical or electronic form) that represents a right to receive goods or services to the value of an amount stated on it or recorded in it.

(2) References in this Schedule to the “face value” of a voucher are to the amount referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above.

Nature of supply

2

The issue of a face-value voucher, or any subsequent supply of it, is a supply of services for the purposes of this Act.

Treatment of credit vouchers

3

(1) This paragraph applies to a face-value voucher issued by a person who—

(a) is not a person from whom goods or services may be obtained by the use of the voucher, and

(b) undertakes to give complete or partial reimbursement to any such person from whom goods or services are so obtained.

Such a voucher is referred to in this Schedule as a “credit voucher”.

(2) The consideration for any supply of a credit voucher shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Act except to the extent (if any) that it exceeds the face value of the voucher.

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) above does not apply if any of the persons from whom goods or services are obtained by the use of the voucher fails to account for any of the VAT due on the supply of those goods or services to the person using the voucher to obtain them.

(4) The Treasury may by order specify other circumstances in which sub-paragraph (2) above does not apply.

Treatment of retailer vouchers

4

(1) This paragraph applies to a face-value voucher issued by a person who—

(a) is a person from whom goods or services may be obtained by the use of the voucher, and

(b) if there are other such persons, undertakes to give complete or partial reimbursement to those from whom goods or services are so obtained.

Such a voucher is referred to in this Schedule as a “retailer voucher”.

(2) The consideration for the issue of a retailer voucher shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Act except to the extent (if any) that it exceeds the face value of the voucher.

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) above does not apply if—

(a) the voucher is used to obtain goods or services from a person other than the issuer, and

(b) that person fails to account for any of the VAT due on the supply of those goods or services to the person using the voucher to obtain them.

(4) Any supply of a retailer voucher subsequent to the issue of it shall be treated in the same way as the supply of a voucher to which paragraph 6 below applies.

Treatment of postage stamps

5

The consideration for the supply of a face-value voucher that is a postage stamp shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Act except to the extent (if any) that it exceeds the face value of the stamp.

Treatment of other kinds of face-value voucher

6

(1) This paragraph applies to a face-value voucher that is not a credit voucher, a retailer voucher or a postage stamp.

(2) A supply of such a voucher is chargeable at the rate in force under section 2(1) (standard rate) except where sub-paragraph (3), (4) or (5) below applies.

(3) Where the voucher is one that can only be used to obtain goods or services in one particular non-standard rate category, the supply of the voucher falls in that category.

(4) Where the voucher is used to obtain goods or services all of which fall in one particular non-standard rate category, the supply of the voucher falls in that category.

(5) Where the voucher is used to obtain goods or services in a number of different rate categories—

(a) the supply of the voucher shall be treated as that many different supplies, each falling in the category in question, and

(b) the value of each of those supplies shall be determined on a just and reasonable basis.

Vouchers supplied free with other goods or services

7

Where—

(a) a face-value voucher (other than a postage stamp) and other goods or services are supplied to the same person in a composite transaction, and

(b) the total consideration for the supplies is no different, or not significantly different, from what it would be if the voucher were not supplied,

the supply of the voucher shall be treated as being made for no consideration.

Exclusion of single purpose vouchers

7A

Paragraphs 2 to 4, 6 and 7 do not apply in relation to the issue, or any subsequent supply, of a face-value voucher that represents a right to receive goods or services of one type which are subject to a single rate of VAT.

Interpretation

8

(1) In this Schedule—

“credit voucher” has the meaning given by paragraph 3(1) above;

“face value” has the meaning given by paragraph 1(2) above;

“face value voucher” has the meaning given by paragraph 1(1) above;

“retailer voucher” has the meaning given by paragraph 4(1) above.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule—

(a) the “rate categories” of supplies are—

(i) supplies chargeable at the rate in force under section 2(1) (standard rate),

(ii) supplies chargeable at the rate in force under section 29A (reduced rate),

(iii) zero-rated supplies, and

(iv) exempt supplies and other supplies that are not taxable supplies;

(b) the “non-standard rate categories” of supplies are those in sub-paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (a) above;

(3) A reference in this Schedule to a voucher being used to obtain goods or services includes a reference to the case where it is used as part-payment for those goods or services.

SCHEDULE 10B

Meaning of “voucher”

1

(1) In this Schedule “voucher” means an instrument (in physical or electronic form) in relation to which the following conditions are met.

(2) The first condition is that one or more persons are under an obligation to accept the instrument as consideration for the provision of goods or services.

(3) The second condition is that either or both of—

(a) the goods and services for the provision of which the instrument may be accepted as consideration, and

(b) the persons who are under the obligation to accept the instrument as consideration for the provision of goods or services,

are limited and are stated on or recorded in the instrument or the terms and conditions governing the use of the instrument.

(4) The third condition is that the instrument is transferable by gift (whether or not it is transferable for consideration).

(5) The following are not vouchers—

(a) an instrument entitling a person to a reduction in the consideration for the provision of goods or services;

(b) an instrument functioning as a ticket, for example for travel or for admission to a venue or event;

2

(1) This paragraph gives the meaning of other expressions used in this Schedule.

(2) “Relevant goods or services”, in relation to a voucher, are any goods or services for the provision of which the voucher may be accepted as consideration.

(3) References in this Schedule to the transfer of a voucher do not include the voucher being offered and accepted as consideration for the provision of relevant goods or services.

(4) References in this Schedule to a voucher being offered or accepted as consideration for the provision of relevant goods or services include references to the voucher being offered or accepted as part consideration for the provision of relevant goods or services.

VAT treatment of vouchers: general rule

3

(1) The issue, and any subsequent transfer, of a voucher is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as a supply of relevant goods or services.

(2) References in this Schedule to the “paragraph 3 supply”, in relation to the issue or transfer of a voucher, are to the supply of relevant goods or services treated by this paragraph as having been made on the issue or transfer of the voucher.

Single purpose vouchers: special rules

4

(1) A voucher is a single purpose voucher if, at the time it is issued, the following are known—

(a) the place of supply of the relevant goods or services, and

(b) that any supply of relevant goods or services falls into a single supply category (and what that supply category is).

(2) The supply categories are—

(a) supplies chargeable at the rate in force under section 2(1) (standard rate),

(b) supplies chargeable at the rate in force under section 29A (reduced rate),

(d) exempt supplies and other supplies that are not taxable supplies.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph, assume that the supply of relevant goods or services is the provision of relevant goods or services for which the voucher may be accepted as consideration (rather than the supply of relevant goods or services treated as made on the issue or transfer of the voucher).

5

(1) This paragraph applies where a single purpose voucher is accepted as consideration for the provision of relevant goods or services.

(2) The provision of the relevant goods or services is not a supply of goods or services for the purposes of this Act.

(3) But where the person who provides the relevant goods or services (the “provider”) is not the person who issued the voucher (the “issuer”), for the purposes of this Act the provider is to be treated as having made a supply of those goods or services to the issuer.

Multi-purpose vouchers: special rules

6

A voucher is a multi-purpose voucher if it is not a single purpose voucher.

7

(1) Any consideration for the issue or subsequent transfer of a multi-purpose voucher is to be disregarded for the purposes of this Act.

(2) The paragraph 3 supply made on the issue or subsequent transfer of a multi-purpose voucher is to be treated as not being a supply within section 26(2).

8

(1) Where a multi-purpose voucher is accepted as consideration for the provision of relevant goods or services, for the purposes of this Act—

(a) the provision of the relevant goods or services is to be treated as a supply, and

(b) the value of the supply treated as having been made by paragraph (a) is determined as follows.

(2) If the consideration for the most recent transfer of the voucher for consideration is known to the supplier, the value of the supply is such amount as, with the addition of the VAT chargeable on the supply, is equal to that consideration.

(3) If the consideration for the most recent transfer of the voucher for consideration is not known to the supplier, the value of the supply is such amount as, with the addition of the VAT chargeable on the supply, is equal to the face value of the voucher.

(4) The “face value” of a voucher is the monetary value stated on or recorded in—

(a) the voucher, or

(b) the terms and conditions governing the use of the voucher.

Intermediaries

9

(1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a voucher is issued or transferred by an agent who acts in their own name, and

(b) the paragraph 3 supply is a supply of services to which section 47(3) would apply (apart from this paragraph).

(2) Section 47(3) does not apply.

(3) The paragraph 3 supply is treated as both a supply to the agent and a supply by the agent.

10

Nothing in this Schedule affects the application of this Act to any services provided, by a person who issues or transfers a voucher, in addition to the issue or transfer of the voucher.

Composite transactions

11

(1) This paragraph applies where, as part of a composite transaction—

(a) goods or services are supplied to a person, and

(b) a voucher is issued or transferred to that person.

(2) If the total consideration for the transaction is not different, or not significantly different, from what it would be if the voucher were not issued or transferred, the paragraph 3 supply is to be treated as being made for no consideration.

SCHEDULE 11

General

1

The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs shall be responsible for the collection and management of VAT.

Accounting for VAT... and payment of VAT

2

(1) Regulations under this paragraph may require the keeping of accounts , the making of returns and the submission of information in such form and manner as may be specified in the regulations ... or by the Commissioners in accordance with the regulations.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3ZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3A) Regulations under this paragraph may require the submission to the Commissioners by taxable persons, at such times and intervals, in such cases and in such form and manner as may be—

(a) specified in the regulations, or

(b) specified by the Commissioners in accordance with the regulations,

of statements containing such particulars of supplies to which section 55A(6) applies in which the taxable persons are concerned, and of the persons concerned in those supplies, as may be so specified.

(3B) Regulations under this paragraph may make provision for requiring—

(a) a person who first makes a supply of goods or services to which section 55A(6) applies (a “reverse charge supply”),

(b) a person who ceases making reverse charge supplies without intending subsequently to make such supplies, or

to give to the Commissioners such notification of that fact at such time and in such form and manner as may be specified in the regulations or by the Commissioners in accordance with the regulations.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5A) Regulations under this paragraph may make provision—

(a) for requiring the relevant person to give to the Commissioners such notification of the arrival in the United Kingdom of goods consisting of a means of transport, at such time and in such form and manner, as may be specified in the regulations or by the Commissioners in accordance with the regulations, and

(b) where notification of the arrival of a means of transport imported into the United Kingdom is required by virtue of paragraph (a), for requiring any VAT on its importation to be paid at such time and in such manner as may be specified in the regulations.

(5B) The provision that may be made by regulations made by virtue of sub-paragraph (5A) includes—

(a) provision for a notification required by virtue of that sub-paragraph to contain such particulars relating to the notified arrival of the means of transport and any VAT chargeable on its ... importation as may be specified in the regulations or by the Commissioners in accordance with the regulations,

(b) provision for such a notification to be given by a person who is not the relevant person and is so specified, or is of a description so specified,

(c) provision for such a notification to contain a declaration, given in such form and by such person as may be so specified, as to the information contained in the notification, and

(d) supplementary, incidental, consequential or transitional provision (including provision amending any provision made by or under this Act or any other enactment).

(5C) Subsection (3) of section 97 (orders subject to Commons approval) applies to a statutory instrument containing any regulations made by virtue of sub-paragraph (5A) which amend an enactment as it applies to an order within subsection (4) of that section.

(5D) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (5A)—

“relevant person”, in relation to the arrival of a means of transport in the United Kingdom, means—...where it has been imported ..., the person liable to pay VAT on the importation, and...

(5E) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (5A) to (5D) “means of transport” means—

(a) any ship which exceeds 7.5 metres in length,

(b) any aircraft the take-off weight of which exceeds 1550 kilograms, or

(i) has an engine with a displacement or cylinder capacity exceeding 48 cubic centimetres, or

(ii) is constructed or adapted to be electrically propelled using more than 7.2 kilowatts,

but only if the ship, aircraft or vehicle is intended for the transport of persons or goods.

(5F) The Treasury may by order vary sub-paragraph (5E) by adding or deleting any ship, aircraft or vehicle of a description specified in the order to or from those which are for the time being specified there.

(6) Regulations under this paragraph may make special provision for such taxable supplies by retailers of any goods or of any description of goods or of services or any description of services as may be determined by or under the regulations and, in particular—

(a) for permitting the value which is to be taken as the value of the supplies in any prescribed accounting period or part thereof to be determined, subject to any limitations or restrictions, by such method or one of such methods as may have been described in any notice published by the Commissioners in pursuance of the regulations and not withdrawn by a further notice or as may be agreed with the Commissioners; and

(b) for determining the proportion of the value of the supplies which is to be attributed to any description of supplies; and

(c) for adjusting that value and proportion for periods comprising two or more prescribed accounting periods or parts thereof.

(7) Regulations under this paragraph may make provision whereby, in such cases and subject to such conditions as may be determined by or under the regulations, VAT in respect of a supply may be accounted for and paid by reference to the time when consideration for the supply is received; and any such regulations may make such modifications of the provisions of this Act (including in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the power, the provisions as to the time when, and the circumstances in which, credit for input tax is to be allowed) as appear to the Commissioners necessary or expedient.

(8) Regulations under this paragraph may make provision whereby, in such cases and subject to such conditions as may be determined by or under the regulations—

(a) VAT in respect of any supply by a taxable person of dutiable goods, ...

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

may be accounted for and paid, and any question as to the inclusion of any duty or agricultural levy in the value of the supply ... determined, by reference to the duty point or by reference to such later time as the Commissioners may allow.

In this sub-paragraph “dutiable goods” and “duty point” have the same meanings as in section 18.

(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10) Regulations under this paragraph may make provision—

(a) for treating VAT chargeable in one prescribed accounting period as chargeable in another such period; and

(b) with respect to the making of entries in accounts for the purpose of making adjustments, whether for the correction of errors or otherwise; and

(c) for the making of financial adjustments in connection with the making of entries in accounts for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (b) above and

(d) for a person, for purposes connected with the making of any such entry or financial adjustment, to be required to provide to any prescribed person, or to retain, a document in the prescribed form containing prescribed particulars of the matters to which the entry or adjustment relates; and

(e) for enabling the Commissioners, in such cases as they may think fit, to dispense with or relax a requirement imposed by regulations made by virtue of paragraph (d) above.

(11) Regulations under this paragraph may make different provision for different circumstances and may provide for different dates as the commencement of prescribed accounting periods applicable to different persons.

(11A) Regulations under this paragraph may include incidental, supplemental, consequential, saving, transitional or transitory provision.

(12) The provisions made by regulations under this paragraph for cases where goods are treated as supplied by a taxable person by virtue of paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 may require VAT chargeable on the supply to be accounted for and paid, and particulars thereof to be provided, by such other person and in such manner as may be specified by the regulations.

(13) Where, at the end of a prescribed accounting period, the amount of VAT due from any person or the amount of any VAT credit would be less than £1, that amount shall be treated as nil.

VAT invoices

2A

(1) Regulations may require a taxable person supplying goods or services to provide an invoice (a “VAT invoice”) to the person supplied.

(2) A VAT invoice must give—

(a) such particulars as may be prescribed of the supply, the supplier and the person supplied;

(b) such an indication as may be prescribed of whether VAT is chargeable on the supply under this Act ...;

(3) Regulations may confer power on the Commissioners to allow the requirements of any regulations as to the information to be given in a VAT invoice to be relaxed or dispensed with.

(4) Regulations may—

(a) provide that the VAT invoice that is required to be provided in connection with a particular description of supply must be provided within a prescribed time after the supply is treated as taking place, or at such time before the supply is treated as taking place as may be prescribed;

(b) allow for the invoice to be issued later than required by the regulations where it is issued in accordance with general or special directions given by the Commissioners.

(5) Regulations may—

(a) make provision about the manner in which a VAT invoice may be provided, including provision prescribing conditions that must be complied with in the case of an invoice issued by a third party on behalf of the supplier;

(b) prescribe conditions that must be complied with in the case of a VAT invoice that relates to more than one supply;

(c) make, in relation to a document that refers to a VAT invoice and is intended to amend it, such provision corresponding to that which may be made in relation to a VAT invoice as appears to the Commissioners to be appropriate.

(6) Regulations may confer power on the Commissioners to require a person who has received in the United Kingdom a VAT invoice that is (or part of which is) in a language other than English to provide them with an English translation of the invoice (or part).

(7) Regulations under this paragraph—

(a) may be framed so as to apply only in prescribed cases or only in relation to supplies made to persons of prescribed descriptions;

(b) may make different provision for different circumstances.

Self-billed invoices

2B

(1) This paragraph applies where a taxable person provides to himself a document (a “self-billed invoice”) that purports to be a VAT invoice in respect of a supply of goods or services to him by another taxable person.

(2) Subject to compliance with such conditions as may be—

(a) prescribed,

(b) specified in a notice published by the Commissioners, or

a self-billed invoice shall be treated as the VAT invoice required by regulations under paragraph 2A above to be provided by the supplier.

(3) For the purposes of section 6(4) (under which the time of supply can be determined by the prior issue of an invoice) a self-billed invoice shall not be treated as issued by the supplier.

(4) For the purposes of section 6(5) and (6) (under which the time of supply can be determined by the subsequent issue of an invoice) a self-billed invoice in relation to which the conditions mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) are complied with shall, subject to compliance with such further conditions as may be prescribed, be treated as issued by the supplier.

In such a case, any notice of election given or request made for the purposes of section 6(5) or (6) by the person providing the self-billed invoice shall be treated for those purposes as given or made by the supplier.

(5) Regulations under this paragraph—

(a) may be framed so as to apply only in prescribed cases or only in relation to supplies made to persons of prescribed descriptions;

(b) may make different provision for different circumstances.

Electronic communication and storage of VAT invoices etc

3

(1) Regulations may prescribe, or provide for the Commissioners to impose in a particular case, conditions that must be complied with in relation to—

(a) the provision by electronic means of any item to which this paragraph applies;

(b) the preservation by electronic means of any such item or of information contained in any such item.

(2) The items to which this paragraph applies are—

(a) any VAT invoice;

(b) any document that refers to a VAT invoice and is intended to amend it;

(3) Regulations under this paragraph may make different provision for different circumstances.

Power to require security and production of evidence

4

(1) The Commissioners may, as a condition of allowing or repaying input tax to any person, require the production of such evidence relating to VAT as they may specify.

(1A) If they think it necessary for the protection of the revenue, the Commissioners may require, as a condition of making any VAT credit, the giving of such security for the amount of the payment as appears to them appropriate.

(2) If they think it necessary for the protection of the revenue, the Commissioners may require a taxable person, as a condition of his supplying or being supplied with goods or services under a taxable supply, to give security, or further security, for the payment of any VAT that is or may become due from—

(a) the taxable person, or

(b) any person by or to whom relevant goods or services are supplied.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) above “relevant goods or services” means goods or services supplied by or to the taxable person.

(4) Security under sub-paragraph (2) above shall be of such amount, and shall be given in such manner, as the Commissioners may determine.

(5) The powers conferred on the Commissioners by sub-paragraph (2) above are without prejudice to their powers under section 48(7).

Recovery of VAT, etc

5

(1) VAT due from any person shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Crown.

(2) Where an invoice shows a supply of goods or services as taking place with VAT chargeable on it, there shall be recoverable from the person who issued the invoice an amount equal to that which is shown on the invoice as VAT or, if VAT is not separately shown, to so much of the total amount shown as payable as is to be taken as representing VAT on the supply.

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) above applies whether or not—

(a) the invoice is a VAT invoice issued in pursuance of paragraph 2(1) above; or

(b) the supply shown on the invoice actually takes or has taken place, or the amount shown as VAT, or any amount of VAT, is or was chargeable on the supply; or

and any sum recoverable from a person under the sub-paragraph shall, if it is in any case VAT be recoverable as such and shall otherwise be recoverable as a debt due to the Crown.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Duty to keep records

6

(1) Every taxable person shall keep such records as the Commissioners may by regulations require ....

(2) Regulations under sub-paragraph (1) above may make different provision for different cases and may be framed by reference to such records as may be specified in any notice published by the Commissioners in pursuance of the regulations and not withdrawn by a further notice.

(3) The Commissioners may require any records kept in pursuance of this paragraph to be preserved for such period not exceeding 6 years as they may specify in writing (and different periods may be specified for different cases).

(4) The duty under this paragraph to preserve records may be discharged—

(a) by preserving them in any form and by any means, or

(b) by preserving the information contained in them in any form and by any means,

subject to any conditions or exceptions specified in writing by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

(4A) In relation to a relevant taxable person, a duty under this paragraph to preserve records relating to a relevant taxable supply must be discharged by at least preserving the information contained in the records electronically.

(4B) A relevant taxable person must make available to the Commissioners electronically on request any records preserved in accordance with sub-paragraph (4A).

(4C) In sub-paragraph (4A) “relevant taxable supply” means a supply of goods where—

(a) that supply is deemed to be a supply by an operator of an online marketplace by virtue of section 5A, or

(b) the place of supply of those goods is determined by section 7(5B).

(4D) In sub-paragraphs (4A) and (4B) “relevant taxable person” means a person who is a taxable person and who—

(a) is the operator of an online marketplace,

(b) is a person making taxable supplies of goods facilitated by an online marketplace, or

(5) The Commissioners may by regulations make further provision about the form in which, and means by which, records are to be kept and preserved.

(6) Regulations under sub-paragraph (5) may—

(a) make different provision for different cases;

(b) provide for any provision of the regulations to be subject to conditions or exceptions specified in writing by the Commissioners;

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10) Regulations under sub-paragraph (5) requiring records to be kept or preserved in electronic form may (among other things) make provision—

(a) as to the electronic form in which records are to be kept or preserved,

(b) for the production of the contents of records kept or preserved in accordance with the regulations,

(d) for treating records as not having been kept or preserved unless conditions are complied with,

(e) for authenticating records,

(f) about the manner of proving for any purpose the contents of any records (including provision for the application of conclusive or other presumptions).

(11) Regulations under sub-paragraph (5) requiring records to be kept or preserved in electronic form may—

(a) allow any authorisation or requirement for which the regulations may provide to be given by means of a specific or general direction given by the Commissioners,

(b) provide that the conditions of an authorisation or requirement are to be taken to be satisfied only where the Commissioners are satisfied as to specified matters.

6A

(1) The Commissioners may direct any taxable person named in the direction to keep such records as they specify in the direction in relation to such goods as they so specify.

(2) A direction under this paragraph may require the records to be compiled by reference to VAT invoices or any other matter.

(3) The Commissioners may not make a direction under this paragraph unless they have reasonable grounds for believing that the records specified in the direction might assist in identifying taxable supplies in respect of which the VAT chargeable might not be paid.

(4) The taxable supplies in question may be supplies made by—

(a) the person named in the direction, or

(b) any other person.

(5) A direction under this paragraph—

(a) must be given by notice in writing to the person named in it,

(b) must warn that person of the consequences under section 69B of failing to comply with it, and

(6) The Commissioners may require any records kept in pursuance of this paragraph to be preserved for such period not exceeding 6 years as they may require.

(7) Sub-paragraph (4) of paragraph 6 (preservation of information) applies for the purposes of this paragraph as it applies for the purposes of that paragraph.

(8) This paragraph is without prejudice to the power conferred by paragraph 6(1) to make regulations requiring records to be kept.

(9) Any records required to be kept by virtue of this paragraph are in addition to any records required to be kept by virtue of paragraph 6.

Furnishing of information and production of documents

7

(1) The Commissioners may by regulations make provision for requiring taxable persons to notify to the Commissioners such particulars of changes in circumstances relating to those persons or any business carried on by them as appear to the Commissioners required for the purpose of keeping the register kept under this Act up to date.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power to take samples

8

(1) An authorised person may take samples from goods that are in the possession of either a person who supplies goods or a fiscal warehousekeeper if it appears necessary to do so—

(a) to protect the revenue against mistake or fraud, and

(b) to determine how the goods, or the material of which they are made, ought to be or to have been treated for the purposes of VAT.

(2) Any sample taken under this paragraph shall be disposed of and accounted for in such manner as the Commissioners may direct.

(3) Where a sample is taken under this paragraph from the goods in any person’s possession and is not returned to him within a reasonable time and in good condition the Commissioners shall pay him by way of compensation a sum equal to the cost of the sample to him or such larger sum as they may determine.

Power to require opening of machines on which relevant machine games are played

9

An authorised person may at any reasonable time require a person making such a supply as is referred to in section 23(1) or any person acting on his behalf—

(a) to open any machine on which relevant machine games (as defined in section 23A) are capable of being played; and

(b) to carry out any other operation which may be necessary to enable the authorised person to ascertain the amount which, in accordance with section 23(3), is to be taken as the value of supplies made in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) of that section in any period.

Entry and search of premises and persons

10

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Order for access to recorded information etc.

11

(1) Where, on an application by an authorised person, a justice of the peace or, in Scotland, a justice (within the meaning of section 308 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995) is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that an offence in connection with VAT is being, has been or is about to be committed, and

(b) that any recorded information (including any document of any nature whatsoever) which may be required as evidence for the purpose of any proceedings in respect of such an offence is in the possession of any person,

he may make an order under this paragraph.

(2) An order under this paragraph is an order that the person who appears to the justice to be in possession of the recorded information to which the application relates shall—

(a) give an authorised person access to it, and

(b) permit an authorised person to remove and take away any of it which he reasonably considers necessary,

not later than the end of the period of 7 days beginning on the date of the order or the end of such longer period as the order may specify.

(3) The reference in sub-paragraph (2)(a) above to giving an authorised person access to the recorded information to which the application relates includes a reference to permitting the authorised person to take copies of it or to make extracts from it.

(4) Where the recorded information consists of information stored in any electronic form, an order under this paragraph shall have effect as an order to produce the information in a form in which it is visible and legible or from which it can readily be produced in a visible and legible form and, if the authorised person wishes to remove it, in a form in which it can be removed.

(5) This paragraph is without prejudice to paragraphs 7 and 10 above.

Procedure where documents etc. are removed

12

(1) An authorised person who removes anything in the exercise of a power conferred by or under paragraph 10 or 11 above shall, if so requested by a person showing himself—

(a) to be the occupier of premises from which it was removed, or

(b) to have had custody or control of it immediately before the removal,

provide that person with a record of what he removed.

(2) The authorised person shall provide the record within a reasonable time from the making of the request for it.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (7) below, if a request for permission to be granted access to anything which—

(a) has been removed by an authorised person, and

(b) is retained by the Commissioners for the purposes of investigating an offence,

is made to the officer in overall charge of the investigation by a person who had custody or control of the thing immediately before it was so removed or by someone acting on behalf of such a person, the officer shall allow the person who made the request access to it under the supervision of an authorised person.

(4) Subject to sub-paragraph (7) below, if a request for a photograph or copy of any such thing is made to the officer in overall charge of the investigation by a person who had custody or control of the thing immediately before it was so removed, or by someone acting on behalf of such a person, the officer shall—

(a) allow the person who made the request access to it under the supervision of an authorised person for the purpose of photographing it or copying it, or

(b) photograph or copy it, or cause it to be photographed or copied.

(5) Where anything is photographed or copied under sub-paragraph (4)(b) above the photograph or copy shall be supplied to the person who made the request.

(6) The photograph or copy shall be supplied within a reasonable time from the making of the request.

(7) There is no duty under this paragraph to grant access to, or to supply a photograph or copy of, anything if the officer in overall charge of the investigation for the purposes of which it was removed has reasonable grounds for believing that to do so would prejudice—

(a) that investigation;

(b) the investigation of an offence other than the offence for the purposes of the investigation of which the thing was removed; or

(i) the investigation of which he is in charge, or

(ii) any such investigation as is mentioned in paragraph (b) above.

(8) Any reference in this paragraph to the officer in overall charge of the investigation is a reference to the person whose name and address are endorsed on the warrant or order concerned as being the officer so in charge.

13

(1) Where, on an application made as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) below, the appropriate judicial authority is satisfied that a person has failed to comply with a requirement imposed by paragraph 12 above, the authority may order that person to comply with the requirement within such time and in such manner as may be specified in the order.

(2) An application under sub-paragraph (1) above shall be made—

(a) in the case of a failure to comply with any of the requirements imposed by paragraph 12(1) and (2) above, by the occupier of the premises from which the thing in question was removed or by the person who had custody or control of it immediately before it was so removed, and

(b) in any other case, by the person who had such custody or control.

(3) In this paragraph “the appropriate judicial authority” means—

(a) in England and Wales, a magistrates’ court;

(b) in Scotland, the sheriff; and

(4) In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, an application for an order under this paragraph shall be made by way of complaint; and sections 21 and 42(2) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply as if any reference in those provisions to any enactment included a reference to this paragraph.

Evidence by certificate, etc

14

(1) A certificate of the Commissioners—

(a) that a person was or was not, at any date, registered under this Act; or

(b) that any return required by or under this Act has not been made or had not been made at any date; or

(c) that any statement or notification required to be submitted or given to the Commissioners in accordance with any regulations under paragraph 2(5A) above has not been submitted or given or had not been submitted or given at any date; ...

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall be sufficient evidence of that fact until the contrary is proved.

(2) A photograph of any document furnished to the Commissioners for the purposes of this Act and certified by them to be such a photograph shall be admissible in any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, to the same extent as the document itself.

(3) Any document purporting to be a certificate under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above shall be deemed to be such a certificate until the contrary is proved.

SCHEDULE 11A

Interpretation

1

In this Schedule—

“designated scheme” has the meaning given by paragraph 3(4);

“non-deductible tax”, in relation to a taxable person, has the meaning given by paragraph 2A;

“notifiable scheme” has the meaning given by paragraph 5(1);

“scheme” includes any arrangements, transaction or series of transactions;

“tax advantage” is to be read in accordance with paragraph 2.

Obtaining a tax advantage

2

(1) For the purposes of this Schedule, a taxable person obtains a tax advantage if—

(a) in any prescribed accounting period, the amount by which the output tax accounted for by him exceeds the input tax deducted by him is less than it would otherwise be,

(b) he obtains a VAT credit when he would not otherwise do so, or obtains a larger VAT credit or obtains a VAT credit earlier than would otherwise be the case,

(c) in a case where he recovers input tax as a recipient of a supply before the supplier accounts for the output tax, the period between the time when the input tax is recovered and the time when the output tax is accounted for is greater than would otherwise be the case, or

(d) in any prescribed accounting period, the amount of his non-deductible tax is less than it would otherwise be.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule, a person who is not a taxable person obtains a tax advantage if his non-refundable tax is less than it would otherwise be.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2), “non-refundable tax”, in relation to a person who is not a taxable person, means—

(a) VAT on the supply to him of any goods or services,

(b) VAT on the acquisition by him from another member State of any goods, and

but excluding (in each case) any VAT in respect of which he is entitled to a refund from the Commissioners by virtue of any provision of this Act.

Meaning of “non-deductible tax”

2A

(1) In this Schedule “non-deductible tax”, in relation to a taxable person, means—

(a) input tax for which he is not entitled to credit under section 25, and

(b) any VAT incurred by him which is not input tax and in respect of which he is not entitled to a refund from the Commissioners by virtue of any provision of this Act.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b), the VAT “incurred” by a taxable person is—

(a) VAT on the supply to him of any goods or services,

(b) ... and

Designation by order of avoidance schemes

3

(1) If it appears to the Treasury—

(a) that a scheme of a particular description has been, or might be, entered into for the purpose of enabling any person to obtain a tax advantage, and

(b) that it is unlikely that persons would enter into a scheme of that description unless the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, of doing so was the obtaining by any person of a tax advantage,

the Treasury may by order designate that scheme for the purposes of this paragraph.

(2) A scheme may be designated for the purposes of this paragraph even though the Treasury are of the opinion that no scheme of that description could as a matter of law result in the obtaining by any person of a tax advantage.

(3) The order must allocate a reference number to each scheme.

(4) In this Schedule “designated scheme” means a scheme of a description designated for the purposes of this paragraph.

Designation by order of provisions included in or associated with avoidance schemes

4

(1) If it appears to the Treasury that a provision of a particular description is, or is likely to be, included in or associated with schemes that are entered into for the purpose of enabling any person to obtain a tax advantage, the Treasury may by order designate that provision for the purposes of this paragraph.

(2) A provision may be designated under this paragraph even though it also appears to the Treasury that the provision is, or is likely to be, included in or associated with schemes that are not entered into for the purpose of obtaining a tax advantage.

(3) In this paragraph “provision” includes any agreement, transaction, act or course of conduct.

Meaning of “notifiable scheme”

5

(1) For the purposes of this Schedule, a scheme is a “notifiable scheme”if—

(a) it is a designated scheme, or

(b) although it is not a designated scheme, conditions A and B below are met in relation to it.

(2) Condition A is that the scheme includes, or is associated with, a provision of a description designated under paragraph 4.

(3) Condition B is that the scheme has as its main purpose, or one of its main purposes, the obtaining of a tax advantage by any person.

Duty to notify Commissioners

6

(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a taxable person where—

(a) the amount of VAT shown in a return in respect of a prescribed accounting period as payable by or to him is less than or greater than it would be but for any notifiable scheme to which he is party, ...

(b) he makes a claim for the repayment of output tax or an increase in credit for input tax in respect of any prescribed accounting period in respect of which he has previously delivered a return and the amount claimed is greater than it would be but for such a scheme, or

(c) the amount of his non-deductible tax in respect of any prescribed accounting period is less than it would be but for such a scheme.

(2) Where the scheme is a designated scheme, the taxable person must notify the Commissioners within the prescribed time, and in such form and manner as may be required by or under regulations, of the reference number allocated to the scheme under paragraph 3(3).

(2A) Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply to a taxable person in relation to any scheme if he has on a previous occasion—

(a) notified the Commissioners under that sub-paragraph in relation to the scheme, or

(b) provided the Commissioners with prescribed information under sub-paragraph (3) (as it applied before the scheme became a designated scheme) in relation to the scheme.

(3) Where the scheme is not a designated scheme, the taxable person must, subject to sub-paragraph (4), provide the Commissioners within the prescribed time, and in such form and manner as may be required by or under regulations, with prescribed information relating to the scheme.

(4) Sub-paragraph (3) does not apply where the scheme is one in respect of which any person has previously—

(a) provided the Commissioners with prescribed information under paragraph 9, and

(b) provided the taxable person with a reference number notified to him by the Commissioners under paragraph 9(2)(b).

(5) Sub-paragraph (3) also does not apply where the scheme is one in respect of which the taxable person has on a previous occasion provided the Commissioners with prescribed information under that sub-paragraph.

(6) This paragraph has effect subject to paragraph 7.

Exemptions from duty to notify under paragraph 6

7

(1) Paragraph 6 does not apply to a taxable person in relation to a scheme—

(a) where the taxable person is not a group undertaking in relation to any other undertaking and conditions A and B below, as they have effect in relation to the scheme, are met in relation to the taxable person, or

(b) where the taxable person is a group undertaking in relation to any other undertaking and conditions A and B below, as they have effect in relation to the scheme, are met in relation to the taxable person and every other group undertaking.

(2) Condition A is that the total value of the person’s taxable supplies and exempt supplies in the period of twelve months ending immediately before the beginning of the relevant period is less than the minimum turnover.

(3) Condition B is that the total value of the person’s taxable supplies and exempt supplies in the prescribed accounting period immediately preceding the relevant period is less than the appropriate proportion of the minimum turnover.

(4) In sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) “the minimum turnover” means—

(a) in relation to a designated scheme, £600,000, and

(b) in relation to any other notifiable scheme, £10,000,000.

(5) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate proportion” means the proportion which the length of the prescribed accounting period bears to twelve months.

(6) The value of a supply of goods or services shall be determined for the purposes of this paragraph on the basis that no VAT is chargeable on the supply.

(7) The Treasury may by order substitute for the sum for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (b) such other sum as they think fit.

(8) This paragraph has effect subject to paragraph 8.

(9) In this paragraph—

“relevant period” means the prescribed accounting period referred to in paragraph 6(1)(a), (b) or (c);

“undertaking” and “group undertaking” have the same meanings as in section 1161 of the Companies Act 2006.

Power to exclude exemption

8

(1) The purpose of this paragraph is to prevent the maintenance or creation of any artificial separation of business activities carried on by two or more persons from resulting in an avoidance of the obligations imposed by paragraph 6.

(2) In determining for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) whether any separation of business activities is artificial, regard shall be had to the extent to which the different persons carrying on those activities are closely bound to one another by financial, economic and organisational links.

(3) If the Commissioners make a direction under this section—

(a) the persons named in the direction shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph 7 as a single taxable person carrying on the activities of a business described in the direction with effect from the date of the direction or, if the direction so provides, from such later date as may be specified in the direction, and

(b) if paragraph 7 would not exclude the application of paragraph 6, in respect of any notifiable scheme, to that single taxable person, it shall not exclude the application of paragraph 6, in respect of that scheme, to the persons named in the direction.

(4) The Commissioners shall not make a direction under this section naming any person unless they are satisfied—

(a) that he is making or has made taxable or exempt supplies,

(b) that the activities in the course of which he makes those supplies form only part of certain activities, the other activities being carried on concurrently or previously (or both) by one or more other persons, and

(c) that, if all the taxable and exempt supplies of the business described in the direction were taken into account, conditions A and B in paragraph 7(2) and (3), as those conditions have effect in relation to designated schemes, would not be met in relation to that business.

(5) A direction under this paragraph shall be served on each of the persons named in it.

(6) A direction under this paragraph remains in force until it is revoked or replaced by a further direction.

Voluntary notification of avoidance scheme that is not designated scheme

9

(1) Any person may, at any time, provide the Commissioners with prescribed information relating to a scheme or proposed scheme of a particular description which is (or, if implemented, would be) a notifiable scheme by virtue of paragraph 5(1)(b).

(2) On receiving the prescribed information, the Commissioners may—

(a) allocate a reference number to the scheme (if they have not previously done so under this paragraph), and

(b) notify the person who provided the information of the number allocated.

Penalty for failure to notify use of notifiable scheme

10

(1) A person who fails to comply with paragraph 6 shall be liable, subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), to a penalty of an amount determined under paragraph 11.

(2) Conduct falling within sub-paragraph (1) shall not give rise to liability to a penalty under this paragraph if the person concerned satisfies the Commissioners or, on appeal, a tribunal that there is a reasonable excuse for the failure.

(3) Where, by reason of conduct falling within sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) a person is convicted of an offence (whether under this Act or otherwise), or

(b) a person is assessed to a penalty under section 60 or a penalty for a deliberate inaccuracy under Schedule 24 to the Finance Act 2007,

that conduct shall not give rise to a penalty under this paragraph.

Amount of penalty

11

(1) Where the failure mentioned in paragraph 10(1) relates to a notifiable scheme that is not a designated scheme, the amount of the penalty is £5,000.

(2) Where the failure mentioned in paragraph 10(1) relates to a designated scheme, the amount of the penalty is 15 per cent. of the VAT saving (as determined under sub-paragraph (3)).

(3) For this purpose the VAT saving is—

(a) to the extent that the case falls within paragraph 6(1)(a), the aggregate of—

(i) the amount by which the amount of VAT that would, but for the scheme, have been shown in returns in respect of the relevant periods as payable by the taxable person exceeds the amount of VAT that was shown in those returns as payable by him, and

(ii) the amount by which the amount of VAT that was shown in such returns as payable to the taxable person exceeds the amount of VAT that would, but for the scheme, have been shown in those returns as payable to him, ...

(b) to the extent that the case falls within paragraph 6(1)(b), the amount by which the amount claimed exceeds the amount which the taxable person would, but for the scheme, have claimed, and

(i) the case falls within paragraph 6(1)(c), and

(ii) the excess of the notional non-deductible tax of the taxable person for the relevant periods over his non-deductible tax for those periods is not represented by a corresponding amount which by virtue of paragraph (a) or (b) is part of the VAT saving,

the amount of the excess.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3)(a) and (c) “the relevant periods” means the prescribed accounting periods beginning with that in respect of which the duty to comply with paragraph 6 first arose and ending with the earlier of the following—

(a) the prescribed accounting period in which the taxable person complied with that paragraph, and

(b) the prescribed accounting period immediately preceding the notification by the Commissioners of the penalty assessment.

(5) In sub-paragraph (3)(c), “notional non-deductible tax”, in relation to a taxable person, means the amount that would, but for the scheme, have been the amount of his non-deductible tax.

Penalty assessments

12

(1) Where any person is liable under paragraph 10 to a penalty of an amount determined under paragraph 11, the Commissioners may, subject to sub-paragraph (3), assess the amount due by way of penalty and notify it to him accordingly.

(2) The fact that any conduct giving rise to a penalty under paragraph 10 may have ceased before an assessment is made under this paragraph shall not affect the power of the Commissioners to make such an assessment.

(3) In a case where—

(a) the penalty falls to be calculated by reference to the VAT saving as determined under paragraph 11(3), and

(b) the notional tax cannot readily be attributed to any one or more prescribed accounting periods,

the notional tax shall be treated for the purposes of this Schedule as attributable to such period or periods as the Commissioners may determine to the best of their judgment and notify to the person liable for the penalty.

(3A) In sub-paragraph (3) “the notional tax” means—

(a) the VAT that would, but for the scheme, have been shown in returns as payable by or to the taxable person, or

(b) any amount that would, but for the scheme, have been the amount of the non-deductible tax of the taxable person.

(4) No assessment to a penalty under this paragraph shall be made more than two years from the time when facts sufficient, in the opinion of the Commissioners, to indicate that there has been a failure to comply with paragraph 6 in relation to a notifiable scheme came to the Commissioners' knowledge.

(5) Where the Commissioners notify a person of a penalty in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), the notice of assessment shall specify—

(a) the amount of the penalty,

(b) the reasons for the imposition of the penalty,

(d) any reduction of the penalty in accordance with section 70.

(6) Where a person is assessed under this paragraph to an amount due by way of penalty and is also assessed under section 73(1), (2), (7), (7A) or (7B) for any of the prescribed accounting periods to which the assessment under this paragraph relates, the assessments may be combined and notified to him as one assessment, but the amount of the penalty shall be separately identified in the notice.

(7) If an amount is assessed and notified to any person under this paragraph, then unless, or except to the extent that, the assessment is withdrawn or reduced, that amount shall be recoverable as if it were VAT due from him.

(8) Subsection (10) of section 76 (notification to certain persons acting for others) applies for the purposes of this paragraph as it applies for the purposes of that section.

Penalty assessments

13

Regulations under this Schedule—

(a) may make different provision for different circumstances, and

(b) may include transitional provisions or savings.

SCHEDULE 12

Establishment of tribunals

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The President

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sittings of tribunals

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Composition of tribunals

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Membership of tribunals

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exemption from jury service

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rules of procedure

9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 13

General provisions

1

(1) The continuity of the law relating to VAT shall not be affected by the substitution of this Act for the enactments repealed by this Act and earlier enactments repealed by and corresponding to any of those enactments (“the repealed enactments”).

(2) Any reference, whether express or implied, in any enactment, instrument or document (including this Act or any Act amended by this Act) to, or to things done or falling to be done under or for the purposes of, any provision of this Act shall, if and so far as the nature of the reference permits, be construed as including, in relation to the times, years or periods, circumstances or purposes in relation to which the corresponding provision in the repealed enactments has or had effect, a reference to, or as the case may be, to things done or falling to be done under or for the purposes of, that corresponding provision.

(3) Any reference, whether express or implied, in any enactment, instrument or document (including the repealed enactments and enactments, instruments and documents passed or made or otherwise coming into existence after the commencement of this Act) to, or to things done or falling to be done under or for the purposes of, any of the repealed enactments shall, if and so far as the nature of the reference permits, be construed as including, in relation to the times, years or periods, circumstances or purposes in relation to which the corresponding provision of this Act has effect, a reference to, or as the case may be to things done or falling to be done under or for the purposes of, that corresponding provision.

(4) Without prejudice to paragraphs (1) to (3) above, in any case where as respects the charge to VAT on any supply, acquisition or importation made at a time before 1st September 1994 but falling in a prescribed accounting period to which Part I applies

(a) an enactment applicable to that charge to VAT is not re-enacted in this Act or is re-enacted with amendments which came into force after that time, or

(b) a repealed enactment corresponding to an enactment in this Act did not apply to that charge to VAT,

any question arising under Part I and relating to that charge to VAT shall continue to be determined in accordance with the law in force at that time.

Validity of subordinate legislation

2

So far as this Act re-enacts any provision contained in a statutory instrument made in exercise of powers conferred by any Act, it shall be without prejudice to the validity of that provision, and any question as to its validity shall be determined as if the re-enacted provision were contained in a statutory instrument made under those powers.

3

Where a vehicle in respect of which purchase tax was remitted under section 23 of the Purchase Tax Act 1963 (vehicles for use outside the United Kingdom) is brought back to the United Kingdom the vehicle shall not, when brought back, be treated as imported for the purpose of VAT chargeable on the importation of goods.

Supply in accordance with pre-21.4.75 arrangements

4

Where there were in force immediately before 21st April 1975 arrangements between the Commissioners and any taxable person for supplies made by him (or such supplies made by him as were specified in the arrangements) to be treated as taking place at times or on dates which, had section 6(10) been in force when the arrangements were made, could have been provided for by a direction under that section, he shall be treated for the purposes of that section as having requested the Commissioners to give a direction thereunder to the like effect, and the Commissioners may give a direction (or a general direction applying to cases of any class or description specified in the direction) accordingly.

President, chairmen etc of tribunals

5

(1) Any appointment to a panel of chairmen of the tribunals current at the commencement of this Act and made by the Treasury before the passing of the 1983 Act shall not be affected by the repeal by this Act of paragraph 8 of Schedule 10 to that Act.

(2) The terms of appointment of any person who was appointed to the office of President of the tribunal or chairman or other member of the tribunals before 1st April 1986 and holds that office on the coming into force of this Act shall continue to have effect notwithstanding the re-enactment, as Schedule 12 to this Act, of Schedule 8 to the 1983 Act as amended by Schedule 8 to the Finance Act 1985.

Overseas suppliers accounting through their customers

6

Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of section 32B of the 1983 Act, that section shall continue to apply in relation to any supply in relation to which section 14 does not apply by virtue of section 14(8), and for the purposes to this paragraph section 32B shall have effect as if it were included in Part III of this Act, any reference in section 32B to any enactment repealed by this Act being read as a reference to the corresponding provision of this Act.

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Value Added Tax Act 1994

Exclusion of new building from effect of an option

27

Pre-option exempt grants: requirement for prior permission before exercise of option to tax

28

Paragraph 28: application for prior permission

29

Paragraph 28: purported exercise where prior permission not obtained

30

Supplementary provisions

Timing of grant and supplies

31

Supplies in relation to a building where part designed or intended for residential or charitable use and part designed or intended for other uses

32

Definitions in Schedules 8 or 9 that are applied for the purposes of this Schedule

33

Other definitions etc

34

PART 2 — RESIDENTIAL AND CHARITABLE BUILDINGS: CHANGE OF USE ETC

Introductory

35

Disposal of interest or change of use following relevant zero-rated supply

36

Charge to VAT

37

Supplies in relation to a building where part designed for residential or charitable use and part designed for other uses

38

Definitions

39

PART 3 — GENERAL

Benefit of consideration for grant accruing to a person other than the grantor

40

SCHEDULE 10A

Meaning of “face-value voucher” etc

1

Nature of supply

2

Treatment of credit vouchers

3

Treatment of retailer vouchers

4

Treatment of postage stamps

5

Treatment of other kinds of face-value voucher

6

Vouchers supplied free with other goods or services

7

Exclusion of single purpose vouchers

7A

Interpretation

8

SCHEDULE 10B

Meaning of “voucher”

1

Meaning of related expressions

2

VAT treatment of vouchers: general rule

3

Single purpose vouchers: special rules

4

5

Multi-purpose vouchers: special rules

6

7

8

Intermediaries

9

10

Composite transactions

11

SCHEDULE 11

General

1

Accounting for VAT... and payment of VAT

2

VAT invoices

2A

Self-billed invoices

2B

Electronic communication and storage of VAT invoices etc