VAT Refund Request Addresses
We applied for a VAT refund on sellers fees, for sales before VAT registered. After 2 months, this is what they have replied. Basically, our VAT certificate was with an old address, and since then we have moved.
They are requesting that we modify the address so the two addresses are the same. Which address would be best to modify? Get HMRC to send an updated VAT cert with current address, or modify our address on Seller Central to match the certificate?
VAT Refund Request Addresses
We applied for a VAT refund on sellers fees, for sales before VAT registered. After 2 months, this is what they have replied. Basically, our VAT certificate was with an old address, and since then we have moved.
They are requesting that we modify the address so the two addresses are the same. Which address would be best to modify? Get HMRC to send an updated VAT cert with current address, or modify our address on Seller Central to match the certificate?
Seller_H5TrLgyjWWj3O
Thanks Neil. They’ve made me jump through loops and hoops, and after 2 months, this! I just panicked and urghhhhh. But I think the best option is to update my new address on HMRC VAT and get a new certificate.
As always, Amazon reluctant to cough up what is owed.
39 replies
Seller_esvgLzKXw2YAl
To be honest, I very much doubt that HMRC will amend an address for a prior premises.
And to change the current one to the old address will cause issues as well, as I’m fairly sure that they are now only sending out via letter, to actually confirm address’s.
So this sounds very like, whoever your speaking to at Amazon has a list of things to tick off and common sense would dictate that they compare the old address on the system, with the address on the old certificate.
But at the end of the day, as long as your current certificate matches your current address, then really should be no issue. Companies move all of the time and they should be able to cope with it.
So I would suggest that you explain the situation in clear and unambiguous terms and if they do not do anything with it, then escalate it to the MD’s team.
You should not under any circumstances be changing this kind of documentation.
Seller_qZO3ZCjoBXEeL
I’m a little confused. You are applying for a refund on fees before you were VAT registered.
- What has the address on your VAT certificate got to do with anything - this was from before you were VAT registered?
- To reclaim the prior 6 months of VAT on fees prior to registration is something you do through a VAT return to HMRC, not by claiming it back from Amazon.
Seller_NoMNQDGnEW5Bx
I’m not certain you can do it once you’ve been vat registered though, plus if you get then refunded they need adding to your turnover and you would potentially have needed to be vat registered earlier
Seller_nCUuOZ5TcZAAB
Have I been under a rock ? I’m trading below the threshold purposely to keep admin easy and have no intention of breaching it soon … Has everyone except me done this , as it seems a " no brainer " ? And no,. the refund wouldn’t push me over the threshold…
…
Seller_tRuvBEHDedp4q
I think I am right in saying that before Brexit all goods and services bought from the EU could be supplied under the reverse charge rules when you are VAT registered.
For services supplied from outside the EU the reverse charge still applied. For goods supplied from outside the EU then these were an import and VAT would be applied as part of the import process.
After Brexit, the EU became like any any non-UK supplier. So supply of services (and Amazon fees falls under a service) is still treated under reverse charge rules.
When someone exempts themselves from having to pay VAT on Amazon fees, then the whole fee is added to their turnover (and hence effects VAT threshold when they have to register for VAT) - this is to stop them having an unfair advantage over VAT registered sellers.
The only thing I am not clear on (perhaps someone can answer) is if a non VAT registered seller does NOT exempt themselves from paying VAT on Amazon fees. Are the fees still added to their turnover or is the fact they are paying VAT (albeit to a foreign body) enough to satisfy HMRC as they will be paying more in fees so no longer have an advantage over a VAT registered seller.
Seller_tRuvBEHDedp4q
As I see it (please correct if wrong)
If Turnover is £10000, Fees are £1000 and VAT is 20%
VAT registered seller:
Turnover stays at £10000
Profit reduced by £1000 (£9000)
On VAT return enter £200 for VAT paid and £200 for VAT received (so in effect they cancel out)
Non VAT registered seller (no exemption applied for):
Turnover stays at £10000
Profit reduced by £1200 (£8800)
Non VAT registered seller (exemption applied for):
Turnover becomes £11000
Profit reduced by £1000 (£10000)
As can be seen, it effectively makes a non VAT registered seller have no advantage over a VAT registered seller
SORRY LAST EXAMPLE SHOULD HAVE READ TURNOVER £10000, PROFIT £9000 NOT £11000 AND £10000. I LEFT IT AS IS SO REPLIES BELOW MAKE SENSE.
I SHOULD HAVE ADDED TURNOVER FOR VAT IS £11000
