5 Common VAT Return Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Reclaiming VAT on client entertainment: this is almost never allowable. 2. Missing the reverse charge on services bought from abroad. 3. Using the wrong VAT scheme (Flat Rate vs Standard) for your business type.

4. Forgetting to account for VAT on fuel used privately. 5. Filing late, even by a day, which can trigger a penalty point under HMRC's new points-based system.

TaxCorn flags many of these issues automatically as you prepare your return, with plain-English explanations of why a figure might be wrong.