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Option to tax letter
Renting out land or buildings is usually exempt from VAT. The downside is that you might not be entitled to reclaim VAT paid on your related costs. By “opting to tax” the property the exemption is disapplied and you must charge VAT on the rents and other supplies of the property. The advantage is that you can reclaim VAT on related purchases such as maintenance costs.
VAT on property
Unless you “opt to tax” a property (HMRC sometimes refers to this as “electing to waive your exemption”) you must not charge VAT on any property-related supplies you make to your tenants or other persons. The option can usually be made without obtaining permission from HMRC. From the date it applies you must charge VAT on all supplies linked to the property, e.g. rents or lease premiums.
You should notify your tenant as far in advance as possible where you intend to opt to tax.
You must notify HMRC that you have opted within 30 days of it being effective. This should be done by completing a Form VAT1614A (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notification-of-an-option-to-tax-land-andor-buildings-vat1614a).
Clearance from HMRC is only required where you have made exempt supplies of the property and certain conditions set out in VAT Notice 742A Section 5 are not met. In these circumstances you must ask HMRC for approval before you can opt.
The consequences of opting to tax can be complex and far reaching and we recommend getting advice from a tax advisor before going ahead. However, once the decision is made you can use our Option to Tax Letter to inform HMRC and enclose the completed VAT1614A.
