Start using Xero for free Sign up now

You're on our website.

Get ready for the VAT domestic reverse charge for Construction – coming soon

Author Profile Picture

Nicole Matues

Jan 21, 2021

You may have heard of VAT domestic reverse charge (DRC) for the construction industry, which is new legislation currently due to come into effect in the UK on 1 March 2021, having previously been delayed from 2019 and then October 2020 by HMRC.

We’re pleased to say DRC has been live in Xero for some time, so we’re ready to help you through the changes.

What is the VAT domestic reverse charge?

The VAT domestic reverse charge is a new way of accounting for VAT in the construction industry. It applies to VAT registered construction businesses and is an anti-fraud measure designed to counter sophisticated criminal attacks on the UK VAT system. It intends to cut down on “missing trader” fraud, where companies receive high net amounts of VAT from their customers but have no intention of paying the VAT to HMRC.

Exemptions

It doesn’t apply for services supplied to non-VAT registered individuals or businesses, which means work  done for homeowners/domestic users should be invoiced in the usual way.

It also doesn’t apply to work done overseas. It only applies to UK companies providing building and  construction services in the UK.

What does it mean for  you?

If your business is part of the Construction Industry Scheme then you will be affected by the legislation, so it’s important you know how it will affect your business and processes as DRC will be a mandatory requirement from HMRC.

If you are a VAT registered subcontractor (supplier) who provides building and construction services to a VAT-registered contractor (customer) who is CIS-registered then you no longer need to account for the VAT. Instead,  your invoice should inform your customer that the VAT reverse charge is applied and they are responsible for the VAT using the reverse charge procedure.

If you are a VAT-registered contractor (customer) you will instead account for both input and output tax on invoices you receive from your VAT-registered subcontractors.

It’s easy with Xero

Xero is ideal for trade and construction businesses. It helps put accounting tasks on autopilot, with automatic reverse charge VAT and CIS calculations on bills, invoices and credits. Plus, as it’s cloud-based it allows you to manage your business finances, track jobs and pay your staff from anywhere – at home, in your van or on site. If you’re not yet using Xero for your construction business now is the ideal time to start or switch, you can find out more here.

Resources

Share this article

TwitterFacebookLinkedInEmail

Related topics:

Start using Xero for free

Find out why 3.95 million subscribers locally and across the world trust Xero with their numbers.

Try Xero for free

Related articles: