Vat on grant - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Queenie · Member

Vat on grant

Chaz · Member

Queenie wrote:
Hi
I wondered if anyone could help.
Ive just had the annual audit and they raised an issue as Id put vat on a customer invoice for a grant. our local council had said it should have VAT on.
Apparently we was misinformed. is it not their responsibility to tell me correctly or was it my responsibility to check.

just wondered as I have a meeting on Monday and I was going to say that the customer had stated it should have VAT.

Your question makes no sense and is missing a LOT of detail.If you have had an audit and they have raised a question then you should discuss the issue with them. Just some of the missing information, but not all of it - Are you supplying a grant to someone? What type of grant/for? Why are you invoicing for a grant? What is the nature of your business? What have the council got to do with it? Are you even VAT registered. Dont answer the questions here, you should be talking to your Accountant, so ask them first. You seem to be bothered by trying to attach blame for some reason. It is your responsibility to understand what you are invoicing for and why. If you are undertaking invoicing and are dealing with VAT you should have an understanding of the VAT laws and if dont know, pass the work on to soemone who does, or buy in some help. Just passing the buck/blaming your customer is not appropriate. If your Accountant cannot answer, ask the Auditors for a proper explanation. You have some time to do some reading before Monday,

-- Edited by Chaz on Saturday 3rd of July 2021 02:26:00 PM

Queenie · Member

I was not trying to blame anyone. Your answer was very rude and unhelpful. I have just come out of hospital and was just trying to gather some information for a meeting with the auditor and a meeting on Monday. Yes the grant shouldnt have had vat on and Id been misinformed. My only query was whose responsibility is it to who decides on vat - I was assuming the supplier. I thought this forum was to help people. Whereas all youve done is upset me with your rude arrogant and very unhelpful response. At A time when Im struggling and wanted assistance. I was in no way going to blame anyone just to have a discussion with the auditor. You probably wouldnt have spoken to me like this to my face but like everyone you have chose to be rude and horrible my email. So thanks for upsetting me and for being so mean Ill find out elsewhere. Maybe you should consider being kinder!!!!

Queenie · Member

Oh and by the way I am the accountant and it was just one quick question I wanted help with before discussing with the auditor

Queenie · Member

Charging correct VAT is the responsibility of the business raising the invoice, not the company paying the invoice. But if you pay VAT which was incorrectly charged then you may not be able to recover it from HMRC.

there we go Ive found the answer so I should have looked into more!! all I wanted to know no blame in there at all

Chaz · Member

You said you had put VAT on an invoice for a customer, so that surely makes you the supplier. But even as a customer it is still your responsibility to make sure that have been charged the correct amount of VAT/whether or not VAT is appropriate in the first instance. An Accountant should know that. An Accountant should also know that when trying to ascertain what is going on then full facts are required. There was a complete lack of facts in your question so not sure how you would expect a proper answer without providing the exact scenario. The fact that you have just come out of hospital is irrelevant. But you've managed to find an answer, apparently, not sure it is right. I would have said exactly what I said to your face.

Queenie · Member

The fact that I have come out of hospital is not irrelevant as I a shouldnt be working yet and just doing a few bits so probably was a bit vague. I was expecting a kind helpful answer and then I could have given more detail. it was still a general question though and you didnt need more detail. My question was only whose responsible for seeing if vat is correct? Just the supplier or both? forget it Ill discuss with our auditor on Monday.

Youve Upset me so much with your rude and horrible manner. Its the first time Ive used a forum and definitely the last.

You shouldnt be on here if your going to be rude.

yes as an accountant I should have known to maybe give more detail. As a human and professional you should know how to speak to people without upsetting them and being so arrogant and full of your self.

mic yiu would have spoke to me like that to my face thank gud I dont know you

Chaz · Member

if you shouldnt be working yet then why were you? This could have waited until Monday. The issue should have been resolved when the entry was made, which would have been months ago if auditors are involved, so why it couldnt wait is anyones guess. You are making a mountain out of a molehill. You are asking again whose responsibility it is but I have answered that already. Twice. You are too busy being angry to read the answers I have given you, which all gave hints as to what you should look at to get to the correct VAT position. Lots of 'expecting' and 'assuming' going on. A 'bit' vague. Wow. Try a lot. VAT - consideration for a suppy- CPD required.

-- Edited by Chaz on Saturday 3rd of July 2021 04:18:46 PM

Queenie · Newbie

Im just working a bit as cant afford any more time off. thank you for answering twice which when I was so vague is amazing. I didn't give any more detail and you still knew the answer. Your so clever and been so helpful. silly me getting angry I thought you was being rude and arrogant- my mistake

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Chaz

Not sure who you are but you've made 10 posts and so far upset at least two people. This forum is meant to be a friendly place for giving out advice and help to other bookkeepers - and accountants.

Yes, the OP might not have been explicit in her post but surely you could have simply asked for further explanation in a non confronting way. Had you spoken to me like that (on forum or face to face) you would have been firmly put in your place!

So #be kind or sod off. Your choice.

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Queenie wrote:
I thought this forum was to help people. Whereas all youve done is upset me with your rude arrogant and very unhelpful response.

How to win friends and influence people!! I've made my own comments to Chaz, fortunately the majority of us are friendly and I'm sorry that you didn't get a more helpful response.