A number of EU countries have reduced VAT rates in an attempt to stimulate the economy: if VAT rates fall, prices should fall encouraging consumers to spend more.

There has been much press commentary recently that Rishi Sunak will announce a similar reduction in the UK. Note, at present this is pure speculation.

If announced, any reduction will no doubt be for a limited period as the cost in lost tax revenue will be considerable.

However, if and when a reduction is announced what will VAT registered businesses need to do? We have listed below some of the issues that will need to be considered:

Accounts software

If you use bookkeeping software cloud versions may make changes to VAT rates for you. If not, they will presumably provide users with clear instructions. Essentially, from the announced date, the rate of VAT charged on sales will need to be adjusted.

Many businesses invoice for their services by using features in their accounting software. In these cases, the rate of VAT charged from the date any reduction is announced will automatically be applied. Businesses that use other processes to create sales invoices will need to use the amended VAT rate from the appointed day.

Retailers

Retailers, who normally show VAT inclusive prices on price tags, will have two choices:

• to leave prices at the pre-VAT reduction levels – this will increase their profits on items sold or
• reduce their prices – thereby passing on the VAT reduction to their customers.

The intention of any VAT reduction is to stimulate consumer expenditure and so the preferred option from the government’s point of view is that retailers will reduce their prices for goods subject to a VAT charge.

Subscriptions

If your business has subscribers, members or any other model that charges for services on a fixed monthly basis, presumably customers will expect any VAT reductions to be passed on their periodic payments reduced accordingly.

Aside from the changes to invoicing, affected businesses that have set up standing order arrangements may face a challenging conundrum. They will need to contact each customer and ask them to reduce their standing order payments.

An option that affected businesses could consider is switching from standing order payment to direct debit. There are a number of cloud based direct debit facilitators that could be considered.

We can help

If rates are reduced for a limited period we can help you devise a strategy to cope with any changes to your pricing or admin systems.

Last month we commented on the changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) that commenced at the beginning of this month (1 July 2020).

Now that we have the option to bring back employees on a part-time basis and still have a measure of support for their unpaid time, what considerations should we consider when planning the effects of the gradual unwinding of the CJRS?

Here are a few issues you may need to consider:

• Based on your present circumstances, what turnover levels are you likely to achieve from the end of this month?
• Apart from staff costs, what are your other fixed cost projections?
• You will need to account for the gradual impact of presently furloughed payroll costs as the CJRS unwinds towards close-down 31 October 2020.
• And last, but not least, have you created formal cash-flow and profit forecasts?

Armed with this information, you can then consider the combination of staffing levels that will allow you to at least breakeven from a profit perspective.

Planning is obviously paramount. If you have your account’s updated in real-time – using cloud based software – this will provide you with much needed data on which to base your decisions.

The UK economy seems set to break all records for reduction in output. As the 20% drop in May illustrates, we are descending into uncharted territory.

If you need help creating the necessary “what-if” planning reports, please call. There has never been more pressing need to make informed decisions. Delaying or ignoring this need is rather like driving blind-fold.

One aspect of the 1 July changes to the CJRS was the closing date to new entrants was set as 30 June 2020. This disadvantaged parents who had been on extended parental or maternal leave in recent months and were intending to return to work after 30 June.

The government has now confirmed that parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the coming months, after a long period of absence, will be permitted to be furloughed.

This will only apply where they work for an employer who has previously furloughed employees.

It is now confirmed that the UK will neither accept nor seek any extension to the Transition Period.

From 1 January 2020, the UK will have the autonomy to introduce its own approach to goods imported to GB from the EU.

Recognising the impact of coronavirus on businesses’ ability to prepare, and following the announcement in February that the UK would implement full border controls on imports coming into GB from the EU, the UK has taken the decision to introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021. This flexible and pragmatic approach will give industry extra time to make necessary arrangements. The stages are:

• From January 2021: Traders importing standard goods, covering everything from clothes to electronics, will need to prepare for basic customs requirements, such as keeping sufficient records of imported goods, and will have up to six months to complete customs declarations. While tariffs will need to be paid on all imports, payments can be deferred until the customs declaration has been made. There will be checks on controlled goods like alcohol and tobacco. Businesses will also need to consider how they account for VAT on imported goods. There will also be physical checks at the point of destination or other approved premises on all high risk live animals and plants.
• From April 2021: All products of animal origin (POAO) – for example meat, pet food, honey, milk or egg products – and all regulated plants and plant products will also require pre-notification and the relevant health documentation.
• From July 2021: Traders moving all goods will have to make declarations at the point of importation and pay relevant tariffs. Full Safety and Security declarations will be required, while for SPS commodities there will be an increase in physical checks and the taking of samples: checks for animals, plants and their products will now take place at GB Border Control Posts.

A package of support to help high streets to get back on their feet was launched 12 June 2020. This announcement was made just days before shops were allowed to reopen on 15 June.

The High Streets Task Force will provide access to cutting-edge tools, training, information and advice for high streets across England as part of the government’s efforts to get shops open and back in business.

This support is open to local councils and all organisations involved with high streets and will include free access to online training programmes, webinars, data and intelligence on topics including recovery planning and coordination, public space and place marketing.

The support will form one part of the Task Force’s 4-year programme which will focus on the long-term transformation of town and city centres and helping communities reimagine and revitalise their high streets.