This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Please read our policies for more information.

10 Chartered Accountants

News

VAT receipts reach record level of £133 billion
15 January 2020

Figures published by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have revealed that VAT revenue in 2018/19 rose by £7 billion from the previous year to reach a record £133 billion.

In the ten years since 2008/09, the VAT take has risen by 52 per cent from £87.9 billion.

The bulk of the VAT take last year came from incorporated companies, which accounted for 73 per cent of traders and 93 per cent of the total annual taxable turnover.

Meanwhile, more than 62 per cent of VAT was paid by traders with an annual turnover of more than £10 million.

However, despite the substantial rise in the tax take, the tax gap – the difference between what HMRC actually receives and what it calculates that it should receive – has grown to £12.5 billion.

HMRC says that 9.1 per cent of the total VAT due is not paid, which accounts for 36 per cent of all uncollected tax in the UK.

The figures pre-date the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT on 1 April 2019.

Link: VAT receipts hit record £133 billion

Other recent news

The cybercriminals are coming – Is your business ready?
20 August 2025

In today’s interconnected world, cyber‑risk has gone from a simple…
Read more

How can AI deliver unexpected savings within your business?
20 August 2025

Many business owners assume artificial intelligence (AI) is only relevant…
Read more

Should I be worrying about the size of my pension? IHT reform raises questions about this tax-efficient investment
20 August 2025

For a long time, pensions have offered a tax-efficient way…
Read more

Unlocking growth: Grant funding
20 August 2025

Grants are available to businesses in a wide variety of…
Read more

Wage growth slows and unemployment rises – What this may mean for your business in months to come
20 August 2025

The UK unemployment rate has increased to 4.7 per cent…
Read more

»

Case Studies