When it comes to filling out Box 2 EC Acquisitions on a VAT return there can be some confusion. According to guidelines set out by HMRC, Box 2 on your VAT return should be used to show any VAT on goods purchased from VAT registered business in other EC member states (B2B).
Box 2 relates to goods and not services covered by the VAT reverse charg.
Working Out the Cost of Your Box 2 EC Acquisitions
The first step in filling out Box 2 EC Acquisitions is to add up the costs of the goods you have purchased from your EC supplier.
You’ll need to
You need to include all goods you bought based on the tax point which is the earlier of:
- The invoice date or;
- The 15th day of the month following the one in which the goods were sent to you.
What to Enter Into Box 2
As you have made a B2B transaction with a fellow VAT registered business, you will not have been charged VAT.
However, HMRC wants to track what you are buying so need you to make entries onto your VAT return.
The effect is nil on your VAT liability, its a form filling exercise.
Take the total cost of your EC Acquisitions and multiply them by the standard rate of VAT in the UK, currently 20%.
Obviously this now means you are liable to pay 20% on your purchases which is not correct, so you need to make a correcting entry to reclaim this amount in Box 4.
What to Enter Into Box 4
Into box four enter the amount of VAT you entered into box 2, this then reduces your VAT liability and zeros out the entry you made in box 2.
What to Enter Into Box 7 & 9
You must enter the cost of your EC purchases which you worked out in step one above into boxes 7 and 9.
An Example of Filling Out Your VAT Return with EC Acquisitions
A business has purchased £100 of goods from a EC business who is also VAT registered. They will need to enter the following onto their VAT return:
- Box 2 £20
- Box 4 £20
- Box 7 £100
- Box 9 £100