UK VAT Refunds for Non-UK Businesses: A Guide

• Businesses can reclaim VAT through the government’s refund scheme.
• Non-UK businesses can reclaim VAT on certain purchases through HMRC.
• To be eligible for a VAT refund, businesses must not be required to be registered for UK VAT, must not have a place of business or residence in the UK, and must not supply goods or services in the UK unless VAT is paid by the recipient in the UK or the supply involves international transportation of goods.
• The business’s country must offer a similar VAT refund scheme to UK-based businesses.
• To claim a UK VAT refund, businesses need a certificate of status from their home country, invoices for the VAT-eligible expenses, and a VAT copy of the import entry or an equivalent customs document proving VAT payment if goods were imported.
• Claims can be submitted electronically via the HMRC website or by post.
• Businesses can typically reclaim VAT on imports into the UK if no VAT relief is available at import, business-related goods and services used in the UK, including travel expenses, accommodation and meals, trade fairs, and 50% of the VAT on leasing or hiring a car for mixed business and personal use.
• Businesses cannot claim VAT on goods and services with both business and personal use, purchases made before registering for VAT refunds, and goods and services used for personal use.

Source: deeksvat.co.uk

Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.

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