Servicers imported with VAT exempt 0% on the invoice

Question asked by Pete 2 days ago

I have received an invoice from a US company for cloud backup services.

At some stage in the subscription I must have given them our VAT number as the invlice includes that number and the line:

EXEMPT UNITED KINGDOM VAT 0% an

I have an invoice from a US company that includes a UK VAT/GST number. The service is cloud backup storage. At some stage of the subscription I must have given them my VAT number as it shows on their invoice along with EXEMPT UNITED KINGDOM VAT ($0.00)

I am a bit perplexed as I cannot see why a US company would need to do this, surely they would just invoice with no need to mention VAT whether or not we have a UK VAT number.

So I was just wondering what VAT rate and treatment (I am on flat rate VAT) I should use in the Clearbooks explanation.

Is the VAT rate 0% or exempt? - the invoice confusingly says both.

If I choose VAT rate: exempt (as it says on the invoice) , Clearbooks will not allow me to select Services imported reverse charge as it just makes me then choose a different VAT rate.

If I choose 0% (as it also says on the invoice) I can choose either Services imported or out of scope.

But out of scope doesn't seem correct. No other VAT treatment seems relevant. So my choices seem to be:

VAT rate 0% - Services imported reverse charge VAT rate 0% - Out of scope VAT rate Exempt - Out of scope reverse charge Which of these is correct?

NB: HMRC is not much help, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-imports-acquisitions-and-purchases-from-abroad they only mention reverse charge which I don't see as relevant if there is 0% VAT, alo their page says exception to this is electronically supplied services which I believe this is.

2

1 Reply

Hi Pete,

Unfortunately, we cannot advise on the specific VAT treatment to select as HMRC have specific rules regarding the place of supply.

However, I can clarify that within Clear Books, if you'd like to select Services Imported - Reverse Charge, it is only possible to select 0% VAT rate, this transaction will then appear in Boxes 1, 4, 6 & 7. Please see section 2.2.3 for the Flat Rate scheme and section 5 for HMRC references of:

Global Import & Exports guide

Tommy

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