Calculating net vat is critical to know your actual costs

Let’s say you sell services or goods in the United Kingdom or import them from other countries before selling them then calculating net VAT is essential to know your actual costs. This vat amount represents the exact vat paid or collected on the actual product or service and definately will have to be shown separately in your vat invoice as well as your vat returns.

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

It is thus imperative that you calculate the net vat on each product or service so that you 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 instance, if your organization is vat check situated in the UK then you might be governed by a regular 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 many services or goods 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 actual vat amount on each service or product.

In case you have sold a product for ?100 excluding vat then you will have to add 17.5% vat provided the product 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, to be able to charge and collect vat you will have to get a own unique vat number that will need to be shown on each vat document. You can turn into a vat registered trader by filling out an appropriate application vat form after your taxable sales have touched ?70,000 during the past 12 months.

You may also claim the exact amount of vat paid on imported services or goods should they have already been paid in the country of origin. You should utilize the assistance of a qualified vat, customs and excise duties agent or consultant who has complete understanding of uk vat and eu vat rules, particularly 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 be in accordance with the actual percentage of vat on the product or service.

It is very important to know about each component that contributes towards cost of your product or service. This will enable you to earn the maximum amount of profits as well as keep a strict eye on indirect and direct expenses affecting your enterprise. Calculating net vat is indeed very important to understand your actual costs to be able to sell your product or service and services at optimum prices.