VAT Registration delay

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

Thanks all, much obliged for the responses.

Yes - I understand the detail on invoicing without VAT and then creating new VAT-only invoices to cover the post VAT-registration period once I actually get my registration details. I'm just worried that this is dragging on so long it'll really confuse my client when I try to do that. Even though I explained all of that to them 3 months ago...

I am a bit annoyed with my accountant, and I definitely begrudge paying for a middle-man that doesn't seem that interested in getting involved. I'll chase them up again and hopefully something will happen. But this thread has reassured me (a bit!) that the problem is probably on HMRC's side.

Can I invoice for VAT for work carried out before the date on which the HMRC gets round to registering me? If that makes sense. It'd be nice to make use of the FRS while it exists, and for the period I've been trading.

The last answer is nope.

You can get done for fraud as the money you are collecting is HMRC's not yours.

That's not correct advice, Sue Ellen.

The effective date of registration is definitive. Generally, even if there is a delay with registration, that doesn't change, so will be what ever date OPs accountant put on application, even if it is some months ago.

OP will **have ** to charge vat from that date even if it is retrospective.

@OP - this isn't uncommon - get on to your accountant and confirm the effective date of registration requested, and also when the actual submission was made. Get them to both chase it and advise you, its what you pay them for. If you aren't impressed with their pro activity, then it may be that's because there isn't a lot happening yet, or because you haven't asked the right questions - push, see what answers you get, and that will give you a better idea of the job they are doing for you?