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Squealing on VAT evaders

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    Squealing on VAT evaders

    A smart burger bar on Tottenham Court Road gave me a receipt with no VAT number on it.

    When I pointed this out and asked for the VAT reg. the waiter scampered away to the managers office and came out 5 miniutes later with a handwritten randomly selected line numbers.

    This place's rates must exceed £55k alone. As I'm sorting out my VAT cheque I'm sorely tempted to squeal on these gits as I feel I'm paying for them avoiding coughing up... -

    I'm putting the receipt through anyway (£10 - it was a nice burger meal though, but I'll bet the cook didn't benefit...)

    PS.
    And they didn't take cards - all 'cash in hand..."
    "I can put any old tat in my sig, put quotes around it and attribute to someone of whom I've heard, to make it sound true."
    - Voltaire/Benjamin Franklin/Anne Frank...

    #2
    I remember asking for a VAT receipt in a newsagents once. All of a sudden the guy behind the counter started pretending he couldn't speak English and kept waving his hands around and shouting "no VAT" in a very thick Bangladeshi accent. It was at that point I told him I worked for Customs and Excise and asked if he was absolutely sure he wasn't registered for VAT. He appeared to miraculously recover his ability to speak English and the VAT number was produced after a quick phone call to "the owner".

    As far as most shopkeepers are concerned, cash is VAT free.

    Comment


      #3
      I had the same experience at my local Chinese when trying to get
      a VAT receipt. Same people, same name, same menu since i was a kid.
      "Oh no, we've just changed hands. No VAT number yet."

      Ah, wish I had a cash business.

      RS

      Comment


        #4
        Although I have VAT on my invoices and claim it back I have no VAT number as such. But then again I don't live in the UK. My invoices to the companies that I work for that are not in Germany I cannot put VAT on them yet any expenses that I incur while working for them I can claim all the VAT back. Excellent, except I have to pay my VAT returns 3 months in advance every quarter and don't talk to me how I pay my tax, I still can't get my head around it.
        Brexit is having a wee in the middle of the room at a house party because nobody is talking to you, and then complaining about the smell.

        Comment


          #5
          Cash in hand is commonplace for plumbers etc, at least in South Devon.

          Fungus

          Comment


            #6
            In any situation like this always ask myself
            "Would i do same if i thought i could get way with it or had the nerve to do it?"

            If answer is yes i never shop the person for "it", whatever it might be.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by cojak
              A smart burger bar on Tottenham Court Road gave me a receipt with no VAT number on it.

              When I pointed this out and asked for the VAT reg. the waiter scampered away to the managers office and came out 5 miniutes later with a handwritten randomly selected line numbers.

              This place's rates must exceed £55k alone. As I'm sorting out my VAT cheque I'm sorely tempted to squeal on these gits as I feel I'm paying for them avoiding coughing up... -

              I'm putting the receipt through anyway (£10 - it was a nice burger meal though, but I'll bet the cook didn't benefit...)

              PS.
              And they didn't take cards - all 'cash in hand..."
              Did the burger give you the squits? If yes then shop them.

              Fungus.

              Comment

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