VAT Registration Services — Sirius Global Solutions Limited manages compulsory and voluntary VAT registration, Making Tax Digital enrolment, and quarterly HMRC return filing for UK resident businesses and overseas companies with UK taxable supplies. Our team is based at Devonshire House, Stanmore, Greater London.
HMRC Authorised Agent · Stanmore, London
UK VAT Registration & ComplianceManaged End-to-End for You
Whether you have just exceeded the £90,000 VAT threshold, are registering voluntarily, or are an overseas business with UK taxable supplies — Sirius Global Solutions handles every step: eligibility assessment, HMRC application, Making Tax Digital setup, and quarterly return filing.
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What You Need to Know
Understanding VAT Registration in the UK
VAT is one of the UK's most complex tax obligations. Getting registration right — including choosing the correct scheme — can make a material difference to your cash flow and administrative burden.
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax charged on most goods and services sold in the United Kingdom. Once a business's taxable turnover crosses the mandatory registration threshold — currently £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period — it must register with HMRC and begin charging, collecting, and remitting VAT on its supplies.
However, registration is not solely a compliance obligation. Voluntary VAT registration, available to businesses below the threshold, often unlocks significant commercial benefits: the ability to reclaim input VAT on purchases, access to VAT-efficient accounting schemes, and enhanced perceived credibility when tendering for contracts with VAT-registered corporate buyers.
For overseas businesses selling into the UK — whether through distance selling, digital services, or physical goods in UK warehouses — there is no threshold exemption. Such businesses must register for VAT as soon as they make their first UK taxable supply, regardless of turnover.
Sirius Global Solutions Limited acts as your HMRC-authorised VAT agent, taking full responsibility for the registration process, MTD compliance, and ongoing quarterly filings — leaving you free to focus on growing your business.
2024–25 Compulsory Threshold
£90,000
Taxable turnover in any rolling 12-month period. Exceeding this figure triggers a mandatory 30-day registration obligation.
Standard VAT rate: 20% on most goods and services
Reduced rate: 5% for domestic energy, children's car seats, and other qualifying supplies
Zero rate: 0% on most food, children's clothing, books, and public transport
Exempt supplies: Financial services, insurance, education, healthcare — no VAT charged or reclaimable
Late registration penalty: Up to 15% of VAT owed from the date you should have registered
Overseas businesses: No threshold — register before first UK supply
Our VAT Services
Complete VAT Compliance From Registration to Returns
Every aspect of your UK VAT position — managed by our specialist team so nothing falls through the cracks.
01
Compulsory VAT Registration
End-to-end registration for businesses that have crossed the £90,000 threshold, including retrospective registration and backdated VAT liability calculations.
02
Voluntary VAT Registration
Strategic registration below the threshold — modelling whether the input VAT reclaim and scheme benefits outweigh the administrative obligation for your specific business.
03
Overseas Business VAT Registration
VAT registration for non-UK-established entities via VAT1A or VAT1B, including fiscal representative advisory and distance-selling rules under the UK's post-Brexit regime.
04
Making Tax Digital (MTD) Setup
Software selection, digital link configuration, and HMRC agent authorisation so your quarterly submissions are fully MTD-compliant from day one.
05
Quarterly VAT Return Preparation
Reconciliation, preparation, and HMRC submission of your quarterly VAT returns — with workpapers retained for seven years in line with HMRC record-keeping requirements.
06
HMRC Correspondence & Enquiry Management
We act as your authorised agent for all HMRC VAT correspondence — handling enquiries, VAT inspections, and penalty mitigation negotiations on your behalf.
Our Process
Five Steps to Your UK VAT Certificate
From initial assessment to MTD-ready compliance — our structured process means no delays, no surprises, and no missed deadlines.
1
Free VAT Eligibility Review
We assess your taxable turnover, supply types, and business model to confirm the correct registration route and most beneficial VAT accounting scheme.
2
Document Collection
We compile your business registration, director identity, proof of address, and revenue evidence — completing all HMRC identity checks remotely or in person.
3
HMRC Application Submitted
Your fully verified application is submitted via HMRC's online portal, with accuracy-checked data to avoid the common errors that delay processing.
4
MTD Enrolment & Software
On receipt of your VAT number, we enrol your business in Making Tax Digital and configure your accounting software for compliant digital record-keeping.
5
Ongoing Returns & Support
We prepare and file your quarterly VAT returns, reconcile accounts, and keep you informed of threshold changes, scheme updates, and HMRC announcements.
VAT Accounting Schemes
Choosing the Right VAT Scheme for Your Business
The scheme you select at registration affects how you calculate and pay VAT. Our advisers model each option against your actual figures before recommending.
Most Common
Standard VAT Scheme
You charge 20% (or applicable rate) on sales, reclaim VAT on business purchases, and remit or reclaim the net difference to HMRC each quarter. Full invoice-based record-keeping required.
Full input VAT reclaim on all qualifying purchases
Transparent and familiar to accountants and auditors
Suitable for businesses with significant purchase costs
No turnover ceiling
Often Most Profitable
Flat Rate Scheme (FRS)
Pay a fixed sector-based percentage of gross turnover to HMRC rather than tracking every purchase receipt. Available to businesses with taxable turnover below £150,000.
Simplified record-keeping — no input VAT tracking
Potential profit if your sector rate is below your actual VAT rate
Predictable quarterly payments for cash-flow planning
Particularly beneficial for service-sector businesses with low costs
Cash Flow Friendly
Cash Accounting Scheme
VAT is accounted for when payment is received (not when invoiced), and input VAT is reclaimable when you pay your suppliers. Available to businesses with turnover below £1.35 million.
Automatic bad-debt relief — no VAT paid on unpaid invoices
Aligns VAT liability with actual cash received
Ideal for businesses with slow-paying customers
Simplified quarterly reconciliation
Why Choose Us
Why UK Businesses Trust Sirius Global Solutions for VAT
Not just registration — a long-term VAT compliance partnership backed by real expertise.
4.9
Star Client Rating
Consistently rated 4.9 out of 5 across 140+ client reviews for accuracy, responsiveness, and proactive VAT advice.
21
Day Average Certificate
Our clean, well-prepared applications are processed faster than industry average — meaning your VAT number arrives sooner.
0
Missed Return Deadlines
Every client return filed on time since inception. We operate proactive calendar management so you never incur a default surcharge.
4+
Global Jurisdictions
Unique cross-border expertise across UK, Hong Kong, India, UAE, and Australia — vital for international businesses with multi-country VAT exposure.
Expert Guidance
Watch: UK VAT Registration Explained
Our VAT specialists walk through the registration process, explain the difference between VAT schemes, and answer the questions we hear most from new clients — UK residents and overseas businesses alike.
When to RegisterMTD RequirementsScheme ComparisonOverseas VAT UKLate Registration
Real experiences from UK-based and international businesses we have helped through VAT registration and ongoing compliance.
★★★★★
We crossed the VAT threshold mid-year and had no idea what to do. Sirius registered us within three weeks, set up our MTD software, and explained exactly what we needed to record going forward. Zero stress, total confidence.
PM
Priya Mehta
Director, London-based e-commerce retailer
★★★★★
As a Hong Kong company selling goods through a UK fulfilment centre, our VAT position was complicated. Sirius navigated the overseas registration rules, appointed themselves as our HMRC agent, and now handle all our quarterly returns. Invaluable.
KL
Kevin Lam
CEO, Hong Kong trading company with UK operations
★★★★★
We voluntarily registered for VAT before the threshold because we needed to reclaim input VAT on a large equipment purchase. Sirius modelled the numbers, confirmed it made sense, and completed the registration in under two weeks. The input tax reclaim paid for their fees many times over.
DO
Daniel Okonkwo
Founder, construction services company, Harrow
Frequently Asked Questions
VAT Registration Questions Answered
These are the questions we answer most often. If yours is not here, call us or request a free consultation below.
The compulsory VAT registration threshold is £90,000 of VAT-taxable turnover in any rolling 12-month period (2024–25). You must notify HMRC and register within 30 days of the end of the month in which you exceeded this amount. Missing the deadline triggers a 'failure to notify' penalty — potentially backdating your VAT liability to the date you should have registered. The penalty ranges from 10% to 30% of the net unpaid VAT depending on how late you are and whether HMRC classifies the failure as deliberate. Sirius Global Solutions monitors your turnover position and alerts you before the threshold is breached so you are never caught out.
Yes — non-UK-established businesses are not entitled to the £90,000 threshold exemption. If you make any VAT-taxable supply to UK customers that is deemed to take place in the UK, you must register for VAT before making that first supply. The applicable form depends on your country of establishment: EU-established businesses use form VAT1A; non-EU businesses use VAT1B. Businesses selling digital services to UK consumers may alternatively use the HMRC-specific non-union VAT registration process. Sirius Global Solutions has extensive experience registering overseas businesses from Hong Kong, India, the UAE, Australia, and the EU for UK VAT, and will advise on the most efficient registration route for your jurisdiction.
Voluntary registration delivers three primary benefits. First, it lets you reclaim input VAT on all qualifying business purchases — equipment, software, professional fees, and more — which can be a significant cash-flow advantage in the growth phase. Second, it enhances commercial credibility: many larger businesses and public-sector procurement teams prefer or require their suppliers to be VAT-registered. Third, it gives you access to HMRC's VAT flat rate scheme, which may generate a net profit if your actual VAT rate is lower than your sector percentage. The main downside is administrative burden and the requirement to charge customers VAT — which may affect price competitiveness if they are not VAT-registered themselves. Our advisers model both scenarios for your specific circumstances before recommending registration.
Since April 2022, all VAT-registered businesses in the UK must keep digital VAT records and submit returns using HMRC-compatible software via an unbroken digital link. Manual re-keying of data between systems — even into HMRC's own portal — is non-compliant. Sirius Global Solutions assesses your current bookkeeping infrastructure, recommends or configures MTD-compatible software (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, or a bridging solution for spreadsheet-based businesses), sets up HMRC agent authorisation, and files all quarterly returns directly on your behalf. Our clients never touch the HMRC portal themselves — we handle the entire digital submission process.
HMRC publishes a processing time of 10 working days for online applications, but in practice the majority of straightforward registrations are completed within 14–21 calendar days. More complex cases — overseas businesses, applications requiring enhanced identity checks, or businesses in higher-risk sectors — can take up to 40 working days. We submit accurate, complete applications that minimise the risk of HMRC queries; each application is checked against HMRC's common rejection reasons before submission. If your registration is delayed beyond the standard timeframe, we proactively chase HMRC on your behalf and can request a temporary VAT number for invoicing purposes where eligible.
The Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) simplifies VAT accounting by replacing the standard output-minus-input calculation with a fixed sector-specific percentage applied to your total gross turnover (including VAT). For example, a management consultant pays HMRC 14% of gross income; because they charged their clients 20% VAT but only remit 14%, they retain the 6% difference — generating a genuine VAT profit. The scheme is available to businesses with VAT-exclusive taxable turnover below £150,000 at the point of registration. It is most beneficial for service businesses with low purchase costs. However, if you have substantial capital expenditure or high-cost inputs, the standard scheme's full input VAT reclaim may be more valuable. Sirius runs a full FRS profitability model before recommending which scheme to choose.
Yes — late registration is one of the most common issues we resolve. The correct approach is to register immediately and make a voluntary disclosure to HMRC, which typically results in more favourable penalty treatment than waiting for HMRC to discover the failure. We prepare the backdated VAT calculation for the period of non-registration, quantify the retrospective VAT liability, and submit a structured disclosure. We also negotiate with HMRC for penalty mitigation where there is reasonable cause — for example, where HMRC's own guidance was ambiguous or where the business was genuinely unaware of the threshold. Once registered, we implement a robust monitoring system to ensure the same situation cannot recur.
A VAT group allows two or more UK-established entities under common control — typically a holding company and its trading subsidiaries — to be treated as a single VAT entity for compliance purposes. The group submits one combined VAT return covering all members, and critically, transactions between group members fall outside the scope of VAT entirely. This eliminates the cash-flow drag of invoicing VAT on intra-group management charges, property recharges, or shared services, and significantly reduces the administrative burden of multiple VAT registrations. VAT grouping is particularly valuable for property holding groups, professional services firms with management companies, and businesses with significant inter-company funding arrangements. Sirius Global Solutions assesses your group structure and models the VAT impact before recommending an application to HMRC.
Complete Business Support
More Services from Sirius Global Solutions
VAT registration is just one part of a compliant, well-run UK business. Explore our full service range.
Our VAT specialists respond within 24 hours. Tell us a little about your situation and we will advise on the best registration route, most appropriate VAT scheme, and next steps — at no charge.