Delivery Driver VAT Returns - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Salvo · Newbie

Delivery Driver VAT Returns

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Do you need to be VAT registered?

Who advised you to go down that route? If an accountant I am sure that they will have also advised you about vehicle financing, how to claim mileage against the business, what expenditure is allowable, etc. Most importantly they are likely to have a VAT strategy for the fuel which will be very different depandant upon how it is claimed by the business.

Also whether you operate diesel or petrol, a van or an estate car, etc.

Assuming that you have representation really you need to speak with them as they will have a roadmap of how they are expecting your business to operate in order to maximise retention.

Shaun.

Salvo · Newbie

I did everything, I just need to fill the boxes and I don't which output and input insert. I've just be working for 3 weeks, I don't wanna pay an accountant because

Artois · Guru

Salvo wrote:
I did everything, I just need to fill the boxes and I don't which output and input insert. I've just be working for 3 weeks, I don't wanna pay an accountant because

You don't wanna pay an accountant because ??????

As Shaun asked "Do you need to be VAT registered?" if you were not advised to do so then why do it? seems hard to imagine that you would have breached the 85K threshold if you have only been working 3 weeks,

You do have Sales, you sold your services as a delivery driver and therefore should have charged VAT on your Invoices, you may also have Purchases if you bought fuel or other business related expenses.

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Salvo wrote:
I did everything, I just need to fill the boxes and I don't which output and input insert. I've just be working for 3 weeks, I don't wanna pay an accountant because

Why did you become vat registered? As Doug says, you need to have £85,000 in sales before you have to be vat registered.

When you say you're a delivery driver, can you be more descriptive? Fast food delivery, courier or what? Depending on the answer there could well be a big benefit to being vat registered, but you won't know how because you don't want to pay an accountant.

So, depending on your answer, one of us could well save you more than it would cost to be your accountant.

Now you say you are vat registered and you need to complete your vat return, why? You've only been doing it 3 weeks, vat returns are usually submitted once a quarter. although it can be longer or shorter at the beginning.

Arthur · Newbie

Hi everyone, I have the similar situation.

In this case I was courier for Amazon and Hermes, so they registered for me into VAT return system.

But later I had to do it myself. And I didn´t know for few months until I got letter from HMRC that I owe some amount.

So finally I manage to get my details to log in and I found that I have to submit VAT return. The thing is that I don´t know what to put in Box 1 and 2 and box 6 and 7 because I actually didn´t sell anything I was just getting pay for delivering.

Thank you,

Arthur

Artois · Guru

Did you read my earlier reply?

You do have sales, these are the payments you received for driving and you may well have purchases if you incurred any business expenses.

Did you charge VAT on your Invoices?

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Artois wrote:
Did you read my earlier reply?
You do have sales, these are the payments you received for driving and you may well have purchases if you incurred any business expenses.
Did you charge VAT on your Invoices?

Hi Doug,

ben a while. Seems here that the poster had absolutely no perception that they were self employed rather thn an employee.

Arthur,

your business was receiving payments for work done. These were payments to your business, not to you. I assume tht you wer registered for VAT in order to reclaim the VAT on (the petrol apportionment) of your mileage which makes sense. Ypu can only reclim VAT against valid petrol receipts. If you claim VAT on mileage that is not he amount on the receipt but rather the amount on the receipts must be equal to or great er than the amount you claim. No receipt, no claim.

From what you describe the amounts paid were VAT inclusive so all payments you received multiply by 1 and divide by 6 and that is the VAT apportionment of your payments.

That money was not yours. you were collecting it on behalf of HMRC. Although some of it may be kept against legitimate business receipts and the petrol apportionment of any mileage payments. (That is not a percentage of mileage payments but a percentage of the petrol apportionment which is a much lower amount).

Simply because you did not understand what you were doing does not mean that you were not responsible for it (ignorence is not defence in law). Hopefully you already have an accountant who can sort this out for you (argue your case with HMRC). You will have to pay your VAT, Class 2, class 4, and tax (hae you already done your self assessments?). plus there may be some interest, penalties and / or surcharges but that is the part that your accountant will attempt to argue down for you as often the penalties can be much larger that the tax liabilities.

Talk to your accountant and get this resolved asap.

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Hi Arthur

It's probable that you've been put on the flat rate scheme if "Amazon" or "Hermes" have put you on the VAT scheme, which is a total different kettle of fish. The reason I have put them in quotes is because it's highly likely that you weren't working direct for these Companies but through a third party transport Company. Both should have provided you with self bill invoices, showing the total earned and the vat on top.

As Shaun says, an Accountant is definitely recommended if you don't already have one.

Truemanbrown · Senior Member

I would be surprised if the Hermes or any other similar company has registered Salvo for the flat rate scheme. No surprise also if Hermes or whatever company Salvo provides his services to has given him instructions on how to complete the return.

It would be easier for Salvo to register for the flat rate scheme though.