VAT Reverse Charge for Construction Work


Domestic reverse charge was introduced for construction industry to tackle VAT fraud and was effect from October 2019. This means bringing VAT to account is the responsibility of the buyer rather than the supplier. HMRC have issued a consultation on the draft statutory instrument.
The VAT domestic reverse charge is implemented to the construction industry for remove the opportunity of missing trader fraud which has been increasing over the past few years .
This is calculated specifically for the requirements supply of construction services between construction businesses.



What supplies does the reverse charge apply to?

The VAT domestic reverse charges are only applicable on particular construction supplies for construction industries between businesses and not to consumers. The Legislation introduce VAT reserve charges to target missing trader fraud which can only be perpetrated by businesses.
Under the new VAT domestic reverse charges law, the listed supplies subject to either the standard rate or reduced rate. The VAT reverse charge will also be applied to the goods supplied with identified services.



What are specified Work in construction Industry?

Specified Work in construction Industry are determined based on the definition of ‘construction operations’ used in the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) under section 74 of the Finance Act 2004.

These are:

  • Alteration, Construction, repair, offshore installations , demolition, extension or dismantling of structures or buildings.
  •  Construction, repair, alteration, demolition or extension of any works forming, Form on a part of the land, including walls, power-lines, roadworks, etc.
  • building installation or building structure of systems of lighting, heating, fire protection, air-conditioning, power supply, ventilation, sanitation, drainage, or water supply.
  • Structures and building internal cleaning  and, so far as carried out in the course of their , alteration, construction, repair, restoration or extension
  • Decorating or Painting the building or structure internal or external surfaces.

VAT domestic reverse charge will apply if the supply contains a mixture of particular and other construction work and will be classified as a single supply of specified construction work.


VAT Reverse Charge for Construction Work

Domestic reverse charge was introduced for construction industry to tackle VAT fraud and was effect from October 2019. This means bring...