Professional Solutions for the Vat Deals

Many professionals complain about VAT because it would cost them “too much”. Only this tax is in reality neutral for them, only individuals pay it in reality. How does this very particular tax work, which affects us all at our level?

Definition of VAT

The VAT or Value Added Tax is an indirect tax on consumption. Its normal rate is 20%. There are different intermediate rates for certain specific goods. Thus, on each good or service purchased a part corresponds to VAT. This will ultimately be donated to the State. Therefore only individuals actually pay it. It is neutral for professionals who are only   tax collectors.

VAT is therefore neutral for professionals: but then why do we pay it every month or quarter?

• Because professionals collect VAT on their sales and deduct it on their purchases. They then pay the difference to the state.
• They only disburse money if they sell more than they buy (so if they earn money generate Added Value). Otherwise, they will have a VAT credit which can be refunded under certain conditions.

Professionals therefore “pay” only if they earn money. Indeed, the VAT is not a real burden for the company because they only return money that does not belong to them. Thus, the products or services are normally sold tax-free but end customers pay a higher amount inclusive of all taxes (TTC), the VAT is therefore paid “in addition” but is not intended for them.

The solution is simple: you must always reason with amounts exclusive of tax (HT) and not all taxes included (TTC).

Your accountant can help you better anticipate and manage your cash flow variations due to the payment of your VAT. Do not hesitate to talk to him about it. The sales tax calculator is important there with the right calculation.

The different methods of calculating VAT

The principle of calculating VAT is quite simple: it is the difference between collected VAT and deductible VAT.

• The VAT collected is the VAT you collect on your sales.
• Deductible VAT is the VAT that you can deduct on your purchases.
• VAT payable = VAT collected – VAT deductible

Note  : If the amount of deductible VAT is greater than the amount of VAT collected, then there is a VAT credit. You can then be reimbursed, if it is greater than 760 euros. If it is not, the credit can be carried over to the following month or quarter, depending on the frequency of your VAT.

Calculations to go from an amount excluding VAT to an amount including VAT and vice versa:

• Amount including VAT = amount excluding VAT * (1 + VAT rate)
• 12 euros including tax = 10 * 1.20
• Amount excluding VAT = amount including VAT / (1 + VAT rate)
• 10 euros HT = 12 / 1.2
• III / The two applicable VAT calculation methods

There are two methods of calculating applicable VAT depending on your activity:

• VAT on receipts for service provision activities
• VAT on debits for the sale of goods

Thus for VAT on receipts, the professional declares and pays VAT on the receipts he received during the reference period. For VAT on debits, the trader declares and pays VAT on the sales he made during the reference period, whether or not he collected these amounts.