The Eat Out To Help Out Scheme And VAT | How does it work? |
Posted by Roger Eddowes on 03/08/2020 @ 8:00AM Many businesses are signing up to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme announced by the Government recently, but how does it work with VAT? This was a question I was asked recently asked by a client ... The Eat Out to Help Out scheme runs for the whole of August! copyright: rawpixel / 123rf If you are a coffee shop, restaurant or other outlet that serves food, you'll know that once you've signed up for the scheme, you can offer diners up to 50% off their food and non-alcoholic drinks bill, up to a maximum of £10 per person on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, thoughout August 2020.
"This is a fantastic idea from the Government!"
But I did have an enquiry from a client who runs a small restaurant recently. They'd registered for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, but were wondering if they only pay VAT on the newly discounted amount?
HMRC has confirmed that VAT will still be due on the total value of the bill before the discount is applied. This is because although the customer is only paying part of the bill themselves, the restaurant is still receiving full consideration for the supply of the food and non-alcoholic beverages.
This also means that you have to pay the full amount of VAT owed to HMRC in the period the sale was made and not when the refund for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme is paid. You can make a manual adjustment to your records to reflect the VAT due if your POS system doesn't allow you to show the VAT correctly.
To give you an example:
Food cost – £15 Non-alcoholic beverages – £5 Total bill – £20
Total paid by customer = £10 Total paid by scheme = £10 (50% of the total bill)
VAT due = 5% of £20 = 0.95p
Remember, alcohol isn't included in the Eat Out to Help Scheme.
HMRC has said in their guidance for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme that they will accept estimated returns if you can't calculate the adjustment when you submit your VAT return. You will then need to correct it on your next return.
I'll be talking about the 5% VAT rate for hospitality businesses on Thursday. Until next time ... 
ROGER EDDOWES
Business Godparent
Would you like to know more? If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01908 774320 and let's see how I can help you.
Don't forget to stay updated with our daily social media posts on Facebook. About Roger Eddowes ... |  | | Roger trained at Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons in Market Harborough before working at Hartwell & Co, followed by Chancery, as a partner. He started Essendon Accounts and Tax with Helen Beaumont in 2014 as a general practitioner with a hands-on approach.
Roger loves getting his hands dirty, working with emerging, small-to-medium and family businesses to ensure they receive the best possible accountancy advice. Roger utilises an extensive network of business contacts to leverage the best guidance and practical solutions. |
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