Flat Rate VAT For Affiliate Marketing

Using the UK flat rate VAT scheme is quite often beneficial for affiliate marketeers. Many in the affiliate marketing sector have low overheads and in particular small amounts of input tax (VAT charged on purchases).
Under the flat rate scheme, input tax is not reclaimable and the VAT paid to HMRC is calculated as a percentage of gross sales. Gross sales are net sales + the VAT charged to the networks.
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Popularity: 18%

Thinking of starting a business?

If you are turning a hobby into a business or starting a whole new venture, here are some tips to help you get up and running without falling foul of the (UK) tax authorities.

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Popularity: 17%

How to choose your accountant

Do you really need an accountant?

If your business is small and you have less than £15k turnover pa and are organised, willing to research various business guides and the HMRC website to keep up with tax, VAT, payroll, NIC legislation … then the answer is likely to be No.

If you are not organised, then either get organised or get an accountant, as at the very least they can save you the various HMRC penalties and interest that is charged for late registration, late submission of tax returns and late payments of tax.

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Popularity: 16%

Loans to directors – form p11d

It is illegal under current company law for companies to make loans to its directors unless it is an advance to pay company expenses. The loan must also be approved by the shareholders and repaid within 6 months. HMRC consider loans to directors as benefits in kind and the interest chargeable at the HMRC standard rate is taxable and must be reported on form P11d by 6th July. Fines are chargeable by HMRC if the forms are not received by 19th July.

Furthermore, if the loan is not repaid within 9 months after the year end, the company must pay corporation tax on the loan which will only be refunded if the loan is repaid. Unfortunately the tax is not actually refunded as it is offset against the company’s corporation tax liability for the accounting period in which the loan is repaid. This is obviously not good for the company’s cashflow.

However, if the loan is below £5000, then under current HMRC rules, no benefit in kind applies.

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Popularity: 2%