VAT Flat Rate Scheme calculator: limited cost vs sector rate
Test relevant goods for one VAT period, apply the first-year adjustment and compare Flat Rate cash with standard VAT accounting.
Compare my VAT periodCompare one VAT period
Use VAT-inclusive Flat Rate turnover and relevant goods for the same return period. Nothing is stored or sent to HMRC.
Results appear only after “Compare this VAT period”.
Existing decision guides
Choose the guide matching the decision, then return with figures from the same VAT period.
VAT Flat Rate calculator: use VAT-inclusive turnoverApply the selected HMRC rate to VAT-inclusive turnover and keep standard-accounting inputs separate.Limited cost business test: 2% and £1,000 rulesTest relevant goods against both HMRC limits for each VAT return period instead of self-classifying once.Flat Rate vs standard VAT: compare the same periodCompare cash paid to HMRC without treating the lower estimate as proof that a scheme is suitable or available.First-year VAT discount: the 1 percentage-point windowApply the discount only during the first year after VAT registration and to the rate otherwise applicable.HMRC sector flat rates: choose the closest main activityUse HMRC’s current sector list and keep limited-cost status as a separate per-period test.Input VAT break-even and the £2,000 capital-goods exceptionKeep ordinary input VAT out of the Flat Rate payment and review qualifying capital expenditure goods separately.VAT quarter planner: turnover, relevant goods and recordsKeep one evidence row for turnover, relevant goods, selected rate and tax due for every accounting period.Leave the Flat Rate Scheme: £230,000 testsCheck anniversary, next-12-month and next-30-day income tests and obtain the official leaving date.
Method and limits
The calculator determines the limited-cost branch from relevant goods, applies the first-year adjustment and compares one period. It does not classify your trade, test every joining exception or submit anything to HMRC.