Charging backdated VAT to clients

[_Dan_]

Hi all, quick question if I may...

If a company overshoots the VAT threshold without getting VAT registered, and then does get registered, is it possible to add the VAT to invoices that have already been issued/paid?

[ringram]

I doubt it. Contract is signed sealed and delivered as it were.
I cant see HMRC wanting you to pay it if you didnt charge for it or issue invoices with it on though.
Im sure Eric will know

[Scooby_snax]

I believe you can claim VAT back on purchases prior to registration (6 months?) but there is no requirement to retrospectively charge VAT on prior sales

[_Dan_]

Cheers for the replies so far.

To give you a bit of background, my company accounts year goes from June to June, I got confused and thought I would be OK, but, I crossed the VAT threshold last April. I have no stocks/assets as such, I provide project engineering/consultancy services to TV companies. My accountant told me yesterday that my invoices for the June-June year total around £24000 over the VAT limit, and the gist I got is that once I'm VAT registered, I'll have to cough up the VAT on that excess, even though I didn't originally charge it on the invoices I've given companies for my work. Once registered I'll be on the 'flat rate' VAT system (8%-12% I think).

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

I havn't practiced in the UK for years, so I'm not sure I'm up to date, but it was the case that if there was VAT on the transaction and you failed to 'charge' it on the invoice, then the vat was deemed to be within the amount you did charged.
Are your customers VAT registered? if yes then your VAT would simply go into their imput tax and they could accept the back charge with no effect on the P and L, only a cash flow issue, I'd suggest you ring up your customers and ask them if thye would accept an invoive for the VAT at this time, you may well find most would not have a problem.

[DPX]

As above , happened to me a few years ago . Customer no problmes paid the money and I gave it to HMCE .
It lived in a deposit account for 1 month and I made a few quid

[Piersman2]

I had to do exactly the same many moons ago, I just issued another invoice for the VAT which was paid with no problems.