Calculating net vat is critical to understand your actual costs

If you sell services or goods in the United Kingdom or import them from other countries before selling them then calculating net VAT is very important to know your actual costs. This vat amount represents the actual vat paid or collected on the actual service or product and definately will have to be shown separately in your vat invoice together with your vat returns.

Several eu countries including Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Sweden, etc have shifted to vat or value added tax as being a system of taxing products and services in a bid to prevent multiple taxation on goods and services. Vat also vatvalidation prevents tax evasion to a degree compared to earlier systems. However, if you are a trader or manufacturer that buys and sells goods under the vat system you then should certainly know of the tax component within your final costing of the products or services.

It’s thus important to calculate the net vat on each product or service so that you will come to accurate costs as well as calculate your profits correctly. Each eu state or country has different vat rate slabs that attract different percentages of vat. For example, in case your business is located in the UK then you might be governed by a standard vat rate of 17.5% that may change to 20% after January 4, 2011. There is also a reduced vat rate of 5% on certain goods and services while some goods or services are either vat exempt or attract zero vat. The hmrc vat department or hm revenue and customs department has provided for 14,000 classifications that will ultimately decide on the exact vat amount on each service or product.

In case you have sold a product for ?100 excluding vat then you’ll need to add 17.5% vat provided the item attracts the regular vat rate. Your net vat rate will now be ?17.50 while your gross amount including vat will likely be ?117.50. The net rate of vat will need to be specified in your vat invoice along with your vat returns too. However, in order to charge and collect vat you will have to get your own unique vat number that will have to be displayed on each vat document. It is possible to turn into a vat registered trader by filling out an appropriate application vat form after your taxable sales have touched ?70,000 in the past Twelve months.

You may also claim the actual amount of vat paid on imported services or goods should they have been recently paid in the nation of origin. You should utilize the assistance of a competent vat, customs and excise duties agent or consultant that has complete knowledge of uk vat and eu vat rules, especially when you import goods and services from member eu countries that follow the system of vat. Although vat rates might differ in each country, the net vat rate will always be based on the actual percentage of vat on the products or services.

It is crucial to know about each component that contributes towards the price of your products or services. This may enable you to earn the maximum level of profits and also keep a strict eye on direct and indirect expenses affecting your business. Calculating net vat is indeed very important to know your actual costs so that you can sell your products and services at optimum prices.