VAT on purchase from the USA and flat rate scheme

[garnet]

Hi
Just a stupid question: My ltd is on the flat rate vat scheme. I can not claim vat on my purchases in general.
However I can claim vat on my purchases if they are for more than £2000 on a single vat invoice. I.e. if I buy a server in the UK for £2000 + £400 vat I can claim this £400 in my next vat return.
That is clear.
The question is if I buy something from the USA totaling >£2000 + VAT (USA VAT). Do I claim this vat back in the UK?

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

Hi
Just a stupid question: My ltd is on the flat rate vat scheme. I can not claim vat on my purchases in general.
However I can claim vat on my purchases if they are for more than £2000 on a single vat invoice. I.e. if I buy a server in the UK for £2000 + £400 vat I can claim this £400 in my next vat return.
That is clear.
The question is if I buy something from the USA totaling >£2000 + VAT (USA VAT). Do I claim this vat back in the UK?

No, it is not possible to reclaim whatever sales tax is applied in the US through the UK VAT system unfortunately.

[Clare@InTouch]

You cannot reclaim foreign VAT.

International VAT can be complex, so worth having a read through the HMRC guides: HM Revenue & Customs: Reclaiming VAT on your purchases

[garnet]

Thanks for that. I was kind of sure I can not. Too good to be true.

[Clare@InTouch]

If you're buying something in the EU though make sure you give them your UK VAT number, and then in certain circumstances they won't charge you foreign VAT to start with (business to business transactions).

[stek]

What about the VAT on a US purchase that the HMRC sticks on? For example you buy something for 2000 quid, no US sales tax, arrives in UK, HMRC assess it for duty (usually none on the stuff I import) but they do stick 20% VAT on.

That claimable (subject to FRS etc...)?