How VAT works

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What VAT is charged on

VAT is charged on things like:

  • goods and services (a service is anything other than supplying goods)
  • hiring or loaning goods to someone
  • selling business assets
  • commission
  • items sold to staff - for example canteen meals
  • business goods used for personal reasons
  • 鈥榥on-sales鈥� like bartering, part-exchange and gifts

These are known as 鈥榯axable supplies鈥�. There are different rules for charities.

VAT is not charged on goods or services that are exempt from VAT or are unaffected by VAT (鈥榦ut of scope鈥�).