What is flat rate VAT for freelancers?

If your VAT turnover is less than £150,000 as a freelancer, you can opt to join the flat rate VAT scheme.

Once you have registered for the flat rate VAT scheme as a freelancer, you must charge VAT on your goods and services.

Every quarter, when you submit your VAT return, you’ll need to pay a fixed rate of VAT back to HMRC. (How much you pay back depends on the type of freelance business you run.) You can keep the difference between the VAT you charge your customers (20%) and what you pay HMRC.

Unlike the normal VAT scheme, under the flat rate VAT scheme you can’t reclaim VAT on your purchases – except for certain capital assets over £2,000.

How to apply for flat rate VAT

As a freelancer you can apply for the flat fate VAT scheme online when you register for VAT. Or you can download form VAT600 and return to HMRC (you’ll find the address on the form).

If you have an accountant, they can help you decide if the flat rate VAT scheme is right for your freelance business, and apply for you.

Need to know more about VAT?

If you want (or need!) to find out more about VAT for freelance work, you’ll find lots of helpful advice in these articles:

Read more about freelance and finance!

Worried about tax? Don’t know what to call your freelance company? You’ll find plenty of expert help here: