VAT Question

[theoldsalt]

Tranona

But isn't the question - would HMRC (or foreign equivalent) believe that VAT had been paid if no proof of payment exists. They are not renown for giving us poor mortals the benefit of the doubt!

Luckily in my case the purchase price reflected non payment of VAT.

 

[hullabaloo]

Hulla did you know the vat wasnt paid

same old story, my boat was advertised as vat paid in black and white on the website which i printed, but when it comes down to getting the money to pay for the boat, the vat invoice is to follow, which means it lost,
like i said; vat invoices in the UK only need to be kept for 6 years,

 

[Piers]

Unfortunately the agent / builder no longer trades (Excalibur Boats UK) and the broker who made the next sale (who has been very helpful) only had copies of the MCA Bill of Sale, which they have sent.
You have however triggered a thought. The original purchase was financed through Barclays Marine Finance. I will see if I can make contact to see if they took copies of the original VAT cert

I think you'll find that Barclays will have in insisted on knowing the exact VAT status before agreeing to finance the boat. This, as you say, could be the resolution you're looking for.

 

[Tranona]

Tranona

But isn't the question - would HMRC (or foreign equivalent) believe that VAT had been paid if no proof of payment exists. They are not renown for giving us poor mortals the benefit of the doubt!

Luckily in my case the purchase price reflected non payment of VAT.

Yes. The only reason for asking is if they believe a VAT offense has been committed or a chargeable event has occurred. An individual cannot commit an offense unless they are registered for VAT and then only in relation to their business, not their private boat. The only exception here is if the boat is imported like yours when an individual does become responsible.

This boat has always been in private ownership in the UK so the only time an offense can have been committed is at the first sale by the builder or dealer. Other states have no interest as all the transactions took place in the UK.

 

[Nick_H]

The original purchase was financed through Barclays Marine Finance. I will see if I can make contact to see if they took copies of the original VAT cert

Barclays won't even talk to you if you're not the client on this loan. Can you track down the first owner? He may have a copy of the invoice, or may authorise Barclays to speak to you. I say "you", but shouldn't it be the seller doing the leg work, and he's also more likely to get a response from the first owner as he bought the boat from him.

 

[tonyone01]

I think you may well be correct about Barclays not sharing information. I contacted them yesterday and they promised to get back to me - still waiting. I will write to the first owner to see if he can help.