VAT Registration - How hard can it be?

[Camel]

I wonder if anyone else has had any trouble trying to register for VAT and got HMRC request back for Business Plan, company stationary, marketing analysis, etc? I have no idea what a contractor Business Plan would like - find clients as often as possible and earn highest rate available Looks like an IR 35 check by the front door, or am I being paranoid? Advice appreciated

[thunderlizard]

Didn't get any of that when I did it about 3 years ago. Maybe there's a difference whether you're registering based on previous turnover or anticipated turnover.

[Sockpuppet]

Didnt have any of that with mine. Did you put down you were already trading or something?

[SandyDown]

I wonder if anyone else has had any trouble trying to register for VAT and got HMRC request back for Business Plan, company stationary, marketing analysis, etc? I have no idea what a contractor Business Plan would like - find clients as often as possible and earn highest rate available Looks like an IR 35 check by the front door, or am I being paranoid? Advice appreciated

Goole a business plan - there are plenty of examples, I did a really basic one when I needed to open a business bank account many years ago, however I lost it now, and like you I need to register for the VAT, I hope they don't ask me to make another business plan !!

[Gonzo]

I wonder if anyone else has had any trouble trying to register for VAT and got HMRC request back for Business Plan, company stationary, marketing analysis, etc? I have no idea what a contractor Business Plan would like - find clients as often as possible and earn highest rate available Looks like an IR 35 check by the front door, or am I being paranoid? Advice appreciated

This has been discussed before. It is common these days.

Depends on who you listen to but it is either a delaying tactic becuase they are a bit behind with their admin or they are just trying to establish that you are not going to rip them off using the missing trader fraud.

I am not sure that they really need the business plan, just some proof that you / your company is trading. Obviously I haven't seen the letter they have sent you so I could be wrong about that.

[Sockpuppet]

To be fair I may have submitted a business plan as my accountant did it all for me.