A business is a limited cost trader if its VAT inclusive expenditures on relevant goods is either:
You are required to check every quarter if you are categorized as a limited cost trader or not. You could be a limited cost trader for one VAT period, and then back to your usual flat rate category for another.
You can check your status for each VAT quarter by using HMRC online tool. Please follow the below link Check your VAT flat rate
What counts as relevant goods?
The relevant goods are used exclusively for the purposes of your business, but will not include the following:
HMRC have given the below examples of relevant goods, this is not an exhaustive list:
HMRC have also given the below examples of items that are NOT relevant goods:
Options available to Limited Cost Traders
If you are a limited cost trader, then you should consider the following options:
1.Pay Flat Rate VAT at the rate of 16.5%
Your VAT liability will be calculated on the new rate from 1 April 2017 which is 16.5% for low cost traders. This will be applied to your VAT inclusive turnover.
2.De-register for VAT
If your company annual turnover falls below the de-registration threshold of £85,000 (from 1 April 2017) then you are entitled to de-register from VAT.
The following are the implications for the de-registrations:
3.Standard Rate VAT Scheme
If your company annual turnover is more than £85,000, you will be required to remain VAT register but can leave Flat Rate VAT Scheme. You will charge VAT on your sales and would be able to claim VAT on your business expenses.