VAT for Charities

Overview

Charities benefit from significant exemptions in certain areas of taxation – unfortunately VAT is not one of them. Instead they are generally subject to the same rules as any other organisation and due to their mix of business and non-business activities, effectively applying the VAT rules can be even more challenging.

This full-day course is essential for anyone involved with VAT in the charity sector. It guides you through everything you need know about VAT and will leave you in a position to be able to confidently interpret the rules and apply them in a way which reduces its impact on your charity. 

Crucially, the course will take you through the VAT reliefs and exemptions that are available to charities. It will clearly explain how you should structure your activities in order to take advantage of the various reliefs available – ultimately reducing your VAT burden and allowing you to focus on your main charitable objectives. The course will also address some of the topical issues that could affect you.

What you will learn

• What are the key principles of VAT?
• What are business and non-business activities?
• What is output and input VAT?
• When and how should a charity register for VAT?
• What are the VAT recovery rules for charities?
• What is the impact of generating VAT exempt income?
• What VAT liability is there on the various income streams for charities?
• What areas generate exempt income?
• How do you work out the VAT you can recover?
• What VAT reliefs on income are available to charities?
• What VAT reliefs on expenditure are available to charities?
• What are the VAT implications of fundraising?
• When can VAT exemption apply to fundraising?
• What are the VAT rules relating to property?
• What is the impact of partial exemption on your charity?
• How are charities affected by the Capital Goods Scheme?
• Grants vs Contract – what do I need to know?

What you require

You ​will receive...

• A course pack containing the information presented on the day
• A certificate of attendance