VAT codes in QuickBooks Online: A complete guide

Here you’ll find a list of common VAT codes, plus how they’re used on the sales and purchase forms in QuickBooks Online. If you haven’t already, set up VAT.

Notes:

• Can't find the VAT code you need? It could be hidden. Learn how to show or hide VAT codes.
• If your business is on the Flat Rate Scheme (FRS), you may notice that some codes may post differently based on your industry.

Jump to section:

• What is VAT?

• Common VAT codes and rates
  20% S | 5% R | 0% Z | No VAT | Exempt | 20% RC SG | 20% RC MPCCs

• EC VAT codes and rates
  20% ECG | 20% ECS | 0% ECG | 0% ECS | 0% RC

• Domestic reverse charge for CIS
  20% RC | 5% RC

• Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA)
  20% PVA Z | 0% PVA Z

• Hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions industry

What is VAT?

VAT – which stands for Value Added Tax – is a tax placed on almost all goods and services sold in the UK and EU. Whether it’s a business-to-business sale or direct consumer sale, VAT can either be added on top of a price or within the price. 

Knowing which VAT codes to apply to each product and service will help you pay the correct amount of tax and avoid any penalties when filing your VAT returns to HMRC. 

VAT codes and rates

20.0% S - Standard Rate VAT

The standard VAT rate in the UK for most goods and services is currently 20%. VAT-registered businesses must charge VAT at the standard rate on all goods and services, unless they fall under another category. 

Check the HMRC guidelines before charging at a different rate other than standard.

5.0% R - Reduced Rate VAT

The reduced rate may only apply to some goods and services in certain circumstances, depending on who the customer is. This reduced VAT rate applies to things like:

• Children’s car seats and boosters
• Insulation
• Anti-smoking aids 

Check the HMRC guidance to understand when this rate can be used.

0.00% Z - Zero Rate VAT

Goods and services that are categorised as 0% or zero-rated VAT are still taxable, but the VAT rate is charged at 0%. Sometimes the reduced rate only applies in certain circumstances, or it may depend on who the customer is. 

You can expect zero percent VAT on: 

• Children’s clothes and footwear
• Brochure and leaflet printing
• Advertising services for charities 

Check the HMRC guidance to understand when this rate can be used.

No VAT - Out of scope of VAT

No VAT is charged on goods or services that are exempt from VAT or are outside the scope of the UK VAT system. These transactions will not appear on your VAT returns. 

No VAT applies in the following situations:

• Anything you sell or supply when you’re not registered for VAT/or don’t need to be registered for VAT
• Goods or services bought or sold outside of the EU
• Goods or services bought or sold for personal use
• Goods or services bought or sold but not as part of your business 
• Statutory fees and services, like MOT testing 
• Transport tolls for bridges, tunnels and roads
• Welfare services provided by charities
• Charity donations 

Check the HMRC guidance to understand when this rate can be used.

Exempt

Goods and services that are VAT exempt are not taxable. This means that no VAT can be charged on them. These typically include:

• Insurance
• Medical health treatments 
• Sponsored charity events
• Educational courses and training

Special rules apply for businesses that are exempt or partly exempt. Check the HMRC guidance to understand when this rate can be used.

20.0% RC SG - Standard reverse charge VAT for services

This rate is used for goods and services bought in another EU country but are classed at the standard rate in the UK. 

Check the HMRC guidance to understand when this rate can be used.

20.0% RC MPCCs - Domestic reverse charge VAT for computers

This rate is used for mobile phones and computer chips purchased in the UK. 

Check the HMRC guidance to understand when this rate can be used.

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EC VAT codes and rates

EC stands for European Commission.

If your business is VAT-registered and you buy goods or services from another VAT-registered business in another EC Member State, you shouldn’t be charged VAT, as long as you give the supplier your VAT registration number. 

The supplier will be responsible for using the reverse charge method to render the charge nil. The buyer is then responsible for recording the VAT transaction for those particular goods or service. This way, it eliminates the need for merchants to register in the country where supply is made.

Suppose you are the supplier and you are shipping goods to customers in an EC Member State, you shouldn’t charge VAT if they provide you with a valid VAT registration number. As their supplier, you need to use the reverse charge method to make the VAT nil. 

Make sure you include the words ‘reverse charge’ on the invoice to fulfill the legal requirement. Here are some examples from HMRC:

• Reverse charge: VAT Act 1994 Section 55A applies
• Reverse charge: S55A VATA 94 applies
• Reverse charge: Customer to pay the VAT to HMRC

If you didn’t receive a valid VAT number, use the correct VAT rate. For transactions that qualify, use one of the following EC VAT rates.

20.0% ECG - Intra EU B2B purchase of goods

For business to business transactions, the customer must pay any VAT using the reverse charge mechanism. The customer must act as though they are both the supplier and recipient of goods.

20.0% ECS - Intra EU B2B purchase of services

In business to business transactions, the customer must use the reverse charge mechanism to account for any VAT due. The customer must act as though they are both the supplier and recipient of services.

0.0% ECG - Intra EU B2B supply of goods

Used for the Intra EU business to business sale of goods. If the EU customer is not VAT-registered, charge them the appropriate UK VAT rate.

0.0% ECS - Intra EU B2B supply of services

Used for the Intra EU business to business sale of services. Charge the applicable UK VAT rate if the customer is not VAT-registered. 

It’s critical to note the location where the services are supplied:

• For business to business, the place of supply is the location of the customer (receiver of services). 
• For business to consumer, the place of supply is the location where the provider (business) is based.

0.0% RC - Intra EU Reverse Charge

Used for B2B transactions for the sale and purchase of mobile phones and computer chips within the EU.

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Domestic reverse charge for CIS

The domestic reverse charge applies to companies that operate within the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Under the CIS reverse charge, it is the customer receiving the specified supplies or goods who will need to account for the VAT due to HMRC instead of the paying it to the supplier. 

The following codes are only available on transactions made on or after 1 March, 2021.

5.0% RC CIS - Reverse charge for CIS

20.0% RC CIS - Reverse charge for CIS

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Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA)

Postponed VAT Accounting is a way for UK VAT-registered businesses to account for import VAT after Brexit. PVA gives businesses the option to account for and recover VAT on imported goods on their VAT return rather than paying it immediately upon entry of the goods in the UK.

You can account for import PVA if you are a VAT-registered business that imports goods for business use into the UK. Since Northern Ireland is still part of the EU VAT area, the reverse charge will still apply, not the PVA scheme. For imports from anywhere in the world, you can postpone the VAT.

20.0% PVAT

0.0% PVAT Z

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Hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions industry

12.5% VAT - temporary rate

Back in July 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government announced a temporary VAT rate of 5% for certain supplies within the hospitality sector. Instead of increasing the 5% VAT rate back to 20% the government offered a new temporary rate of 12.5% until 31 March, 2022. 

The normal 20% standard VAT rate was reinstated on 1 April, 2022.

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