According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) there are ‘major gaps’ in the government’s no-deal Brexit guidance for UK businesses.

The BCC carried out a review of official government no-deal Brexit guidance for businesses, and found that 31 of 36 critical areas are still marked amber or red, suggesting that businesses have ‘incomplete or insufficient information available to plan thoroughly for a no-deal outcome’.

Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC, said:

‘While the government has ramped up communication to businesses in recent weeks, there are still big gaps in the guidance available to help businesses to prepare for Brexit, with just weeks to go until 31 October.

Our business communities don’t want to see a disorderly no-deal exit on 31 October, which would lead to an overnight change in trading conditions.

Averting a messy and disorderly exit is still critical. Businesses across the UK want politicians on all sides to come together and find a way forward – fast.’

Internet link: BCC news

The Department for Business has launched a nationwide programme of events to help businesses prepare for Brexit.

The free events are designed to provide free advice on a range of Brexit-related topics, including exporting, importing and employing EU citizens. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from senior government officials and access support tailored to their location and business.

More than 30 Brexit-readiness events have been scheduled to take place across the UK.

Internet link: GOV.UK news

HMRC has announced a one-year delay to the introduction of the VAT domestic reverse charge for building and construction services.

The reverse charge represents part of a government clamp-down on VAT fraud. According to the government, large amounts of VAT are lost through ‘missing trader’ fraud. As part of missing trader fraud, VAT is charged by a supplier, who then disappears, along with the output tax. The VAT is thus lost to HMRC. The construction industry is considered a particularly high-risk sector.

The reverse charge when introduced will not change the VAT liability but instead it will change the way that VAT is accounted for. In the future, the recipient of the services, rather than the supplier, will account for VAT on specified building and construction services. This is called a reverse charge. The reverse charge is a business-to-business charge, applying to VAT-registered businesses where payments are required to be reported through the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).

The charge was due to come into effect on 1 October 2019. It has now been delayed by 12 months until 1 October 2020 due to fears that businesses in the construction sector were not ready.

HMRC says it remains ‘committed to the introduction of the reverse charge’, and has put a robust compliance strategy into place in order to tackle fraud in the construction sector.

Internet link: GOV.UK revenue and customs brief

The government has initiated a review of the Loan Charge and whether the policy is an appropriate way of dealing with disguised remuneration loan schemes used by individuals who entered directly into these schemes to avoid paying tax.

Sir Amyas Morse, the former Comptroller and Auditor General and Chief Executive of the National Audit Office (NAO), will lead an independent review of the Loan Charge.

The government has asked Sir Amyas Morse to report back by mid-November, giving taxpayers certainty ahead of the January Self Assessment deadline.

Internet link: GOV.UK news

UPDATE

As of 6th September 2019, the introduction of this tax has been delayed by HMRC to 1st October 2020. The reason for the delay is that industry is not yet ready to implement the changes and the 12 months delay will avoid coinciding with Brexit.

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Are you aware of the changes in VAT rules if you are involved in Construction?
Construction Industry Reverse VAT charges

If you are involved in the construction industry it is important that you are aware of the VAT changes that come into effect 1st October 2019.
This is a significant change to the way you account for Output VAT on contract work.

It applies in the following circumstances:
• The supply consists of Construction services and materials
• It is standard or reduce rate VAT
• It is between a UK VAT registered supplier and UK VAT registered customer
• Both parties are registered for CIS
• The customer intends to make an ongoing supply of construction services
• The supplier and customer are not connected.

What do you Need to Do?
With contracts starting 1st October 2019 you will need to check whether they fall within the reverse charge rules and when you will receive payment.
If payment is received before the 31st December 2019 then you account for VAT as normal for receipts after this date reverse charge rules will apply.

What does this mean in practice?
Where the rules are met instead of charging output VAT your invoice will say
‘Reverse charge applies at the VAT rate of either 20% or 5% if reduced rate’

Does this affect my VAT scheme?
Yes, it may do contact us for further advice.

Who pays the VAT?
Where you and the contractor are VAT registered then the contractor pays the VAT on your behalf. Please bear in mind that this may influence your cashflow as you will no longer be receiving the gross invoice only the net amount. You may wish to consider switching to monthly VAT returns. Please ask us for advice.

There are detailed rules on what type of work applies and circumstances of continuous supply so if you require any assistance on this please do not hesitate to contact us.

Karen Richardson