Consultants generally must charge Value Added Tax (VAT) on their services if they are registered for VAT, which is mandatory once their taxable turnover exceeds a specific threshold (e.g., £90,000 in the UK). Standard VAT applies to advisory, marketing, and technical services, though exemptions exist for specific sectors like healthcare.
Generally, VAT is taxed on consultancy and professional services and depends on whether the customer is UK-based or not. If a UK customer, VAT is charged at the standard rate, whilst no UK VAT is charged for non-UK customers, regardless of whether the customer is in business or not, especially post-Brexit.
Although consulting businesses may be able to rightfully reclaim VAT on domestic and foreign expenses, there are a few requirements to ensure compliance and eligibility, such as: Business expenses incurred must be in line with their business activity.
Any freelance who is registered for VAT must add it at the current rate to every invoice they issue. When they fill in a VAT return they add up the total VAT they have charged (confusingly, the forms call this the VAT on their "supplies").
Certain goods and services are exempt from VAT. This means that they are not subject to VAT and therefore, do not incur the standard 20% VAT charge. Exempt goods and services include insurance, education, and health services.
You must register your business for Value Added Tax (VAT) if the total value of taxable goods or services is more than R1 million in a 12-month period, or is expected to exceed this amount. A business may also register voluntarily if the income earned in the past 12-month period exceeded R50 000.
Charging VAT on sales. Not all sales are liable to VAT. Some traders are not registered for VAT because their businesses have sales (turnover) below the VAT registration threshold and so they cannot charge VAT on their sales (unless they decide to register voluntarily – see the heading below: Voluntary registration).
Under the TRAIN law reforms, if your gross sales or receipts do not exceed ₱3 million per year, you are not required to register as a VAT business. Freelancers (or any business) under that threshold are considered “Non-VAT” and typically pay a percentage tax instead (usually 3% of gross receipts) in lieu of VAT.
When you sell goods or services, you must do the following: work out the VAT -inclusive price using the correct VAT rate. show the VAT information on your invoice - invoices must include your VAT number and display the VAT separately.
What Is Business Splitting? Splitting a business involves dividing one business into multiple entities to keep each entity's turnover below the VAT registration threshold. Business owners sometimes do this to avoid having to apply VAT and keep individual splits below the registration threshold.
The general rule is that if the consultancy service is rendered in the course of an enterprise, VAT should be charged. However, there are exemptions for certain types of consultancy services, such as financial services, legal services, and educational services.
What I've come to realize is that anyone can become a consultant simply by identifying as one. So when people ask this, I often joke that they just need to start referring to themselves as such. However, I also aim to provide practical advice for those looking to enter the consulting field.
Current Tax and National Insurance rates
For the self-employed, Class 4 NI is charged at 6% on profits, with no further “stamp” payments required. These rates reflect the latest government policies and are subject to potential changes in future budgets or fiscal events.
As an independent consultant, you're responsible for paying self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare taxes. The current self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, comprising: 12.4% for Social Security (up to an annual income limit). 2.9% for Medicare (with an additional 0.9% for high earners).
Yes, if you are a GST/HST registrant, you must charge GST/HST on both fees and expenses, including travel allowances. The fact that you receive an advance for the expenses does not exonerate you from the obligation of invoicing for the expenses and charging GST/HST. Please read the terms of payment carefully.
Most goods and services are charged at the standard rate of 20%. You should charge this rate unless the goods or services are classed as reduced or zero-rated.
When not to charge VAT
Invoices and VAT numbers if you're not registered for VAT
VAT numbers are only given to businesses that have actually registered for VAT, so if your business isn't VAT registered, it's perfectly fine to send invoices that don't include a VAT number.
Consultancy services can include business advice, market research and routine testing services. Any incidental expenses incurred and recharged to the customer, such as travel expenses, are also subject to VAT at the standard rate, even if no VAT was paid on the original purchase costs.
Freelancers and service providers must register for VAT if their taxable revenue exceeds AED 375,000 per year. If earnings are between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000, VAT registration is optional.
Yes. If you're a sole trader who is either already VAT-registered or will exceed the VAT threshold, you'll need to charge VAT on your labour time in addition to the cost of goods. Labour is part of your service and therefore, VAT should be calculated and added to it as part of your invoice.
Products that shouldn't be taxed are considered to be exempt from VAT. Businesses, charities, and other types of organisations can also be considered to be exempt from VAT. A business is VAT-exempt if they only sell VAT-exempt products, or if they're not involved with taxable 'business activities'.
Once you have registered, HMRC will send you your unique VAT Registration Number; you cannot charge VAT on your invoices until you have received this number. Once you have received your VAT registration number you should begin charging VAT on the taxable supplies you make on or after your registration date.
Can you charge VAT if not VAT registered just yet? The answer to this question is no, and the rules are quite clear on this issue. According to the Finance Act of 2008, businesses that issue an invoice showing VAT when they are not registered are liable to pay a penalty up to 100% of the amount shown on the invoice.