Help with VAT

[Swampydrill]

I have to come out of the flat rate VAT scheme from this year onwards, i am a consultant in the oil / gas industry, i do charge my client all my expenses including flights, meals, taxis, hotels etc. I charge 20% VAT on all expenses and currently pay 14% under the flat rate scheme, now i am outside of that, do i still charge 20% vat and then pay HMRC that same amount?, what really changes for me, what about receipts that don't have VAT on them like taxi receipts, i have asked my accountant but don't get much response, think i may need to change him

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

We deal with a few offshore guys so know what you are talking about. Why do you have to come out of the FRS? If you are working in the north sea, then you will probably not be able to charge VAT at all. Is that what you mean?

[malvolio]

I have to come out of the flat rate VAT scheme from this year onwards, i am a consultant in the oil / gas industry, i do charge my client all my expenses including flights, meals, taxis, hotels etc. I charge 20% VAT on all expenses and currently pay 14% under the flat rate scheme, now i am outside of that, do i still charge 20% vat and then pay HMRC that same amount?, what really changes for me, what about receipts that don't have VAT on them like taxi receipts, i have asked my accountant but don't get much response, think i may need to change him

Look a little to the right of the screen. Click on "VAT / Flat Rate VAT". There's a couple of guides in there that will answer 90% of your questions.

As for your accountant I'd ask for a refund on his fees and sack him. If you have lots of VATable expenses you're losing out by using FRS.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Are you coming out of VAT because of the property income you asked about in December? That complicates things but I'd suggest you shouldn't have that income within the company anyway.

Fair point Mal makes about the accountant, mind.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

But on the standard VAT method, you can generally claim VAT back on all standard-rated business expenses. Check on HMRC.gov.uk for what these are. So you pay the difference between VAT on your sales and the VAT on your purchases.

[Swampydrill]

FRS was beneficial to me because i have very few items to reclaim VAT from, with a healthy day rate the FRS was a way of making a few grand extra, this last year my turnover was over 250k so have no choice but to leave it. Regarding property, i decided not to buy through the company but this may change in the future.
Why would i not charge VAT, i am VAT registered for past 6 yrs