Specialist VAT Consultancy Services for UK Businesses
Managing VAT can quickly become complex, with varying rates, exemptions, international transactions, and constant HMRC updates. Errors or missed opportunities can result in costly assessments or lost recoveries.
Pearl Lemon Tax provides expert VAT consultancy services to ensure your business remains compliant and financially efficient. Our experienced team works with companies of all sizes, handling domestic and cross-border VAT matters, preparing accurate returns, and advising on strategic tax positions.
With Pearl Lemon Tax, your VAT obligations are managed with precision, clarity, and professionalism, safeguarding both compliance and cash flow.
Our Services
Our VAT consultancy services cover the full spectrum of indirect tax challenges faced by UK businesses. Each service is designed to ensure compliance and provide clear guidance for strategic decision-making. We work as a trusted tax agency, supporting companies with precise VAT management and expert advice across all operations.
VAT Registration and Compliance
VAT registration involves more than completing a form; the correct registration type and accounting scheme directly affect reporting obligations, cash flow, and HMRC audit exposure.
Our VAT consultancy agency handles registration and compliance from start to finish.
We provide expert support in:
Determining whether registration is compulsory or voluntary.
Selecting the most suitable VAT accounting scheme for your business.
Preparing accurate and timely VAT returns.
Maintaining documentation that meets HMRC requirements.
With precise compliance and on-time filings, your business is protected from unnecessary assessments, interest, and penalties.
VAT Advisory for Complex Transactions
Complex supply chains, group structures, and cross-border sales can create VAT risks that standard accounting may not address.
Our tax advisory provides detailed guidance for transactions requiring specialised treatment.
We cover:
Analysing the place of supply rules for goods and services.
Reviewing chain transactions and triangulation challenges.
Assessing VAT impacts of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructurings.
Evaluating partial exemption and mixed-use calculations.
With precise transaction classification and technical advice, your VAT records remain compliant, and liabilities are correctly managed.
Cross-Border and EU VAT Consulting
Post-Brexit VAT rules create uncertainty for UK businesses trading internationally, often leading to overpayment or compliance errors.
Our VAT consultancy supports companies managing cross-border and EU VAT requirements.
We assist with:
Managing import VAT, postponed accounting, and customs processes.
EU VAT registration for e-commerce, distance sales, and trading activities.
Reverse charge application and supply chain VAT planning.
Preparing Intrastat, EC Sales Lists, and digital services reporting.
With precise guidance, your business maintains compliance across multiple jurisdictions while ensuring complete audit traceability.
VAT Recovery and Reclaim Reviews
Many businesses miss out on reclaiming VAT due to incomplete records or misapplied input tax rules.
Our VAT consultancy conducts detailed recovery reviews to identify missed claims and correct prior filings.
Services include:
Examining purchase records to determine recoverable VAT.
Managing retrospective claims for previous tax periods.
Ensuring proper treatment of entertainment and partial exemption costs.
Reconciling input tax claims in line with HMRC requirements.
Accurate recovery of VAT improves cash flow while maintaining full compliance.
VAT on Property and Construction
Property and construction transactions involve some of the most complex VAT rules, where options to tax, reverse charge requirements, and zero-rating conditions are often applied incorrectly.
Our agency provides VAT consultancy for developers, landlords, and investors, with a focus on tax planning for property investors.
Our service covers:
Reviewing leases, sales, and development agreements.
Advising on option to tax elections and disapplication rules.
Managing VAT on construction services and subcontractor arrangements.
Coordinating with solicitors and surveyors to ensure accurate VAT treatment during transactions.
Clear VAT guidance at the planning stage helps prevent costly issues and supports confident decision-making.
Partial Exemption and Input Tax Apportionment
Businesses supplying both taxable and exempt activities often face uncertainty when determining how much VAT can be reclaimed.
We create partial exemption methods that meet HMRC requirements and reflect the practical use of your costs.
Our service includes:
Reviewing income streams and expenditure patterns.
Preparing partial exemption special method applications.
Managing annual adjustments and reconciliations.
Assisting with submissions to HMRC for formal approval.
An approved method ensures accurate VAT recovery and keeps your processes aligned with HMRC expectations.
VAT Audit Support and Dispute Resolution
HMRC VAT inspections place pressure on any business, especially when records are incomplete or misunderstood. Even minor errors can lead to assessments or penalties.
Our company handles VAT audits with accuracy and provides tax dispute resolution throughout every stage.
Our service includes:
Reviewing HMRC audit letters and organising the required documentation.
Representing you during discussions and responding to officer queries.
Assessing HMRC findings and challenging incorrect assessments.
Managing settlement discussions and seeking penalty reductions.
With experienced support managing your VAT inspection, you receive clear guidance and a fair outcome.
VAT Planning for Mergers, Acquisitions, and Group Structures
Business restructures introduce VAT implications that can create compliance issues if not managed correctly. Our VAT consultancy handles VAT planning throughout mergers, acquisitions, and reorganisations, supported by inheritance tax planning where required.
Our VAT planning service includes:
Advising on VAT grouping and assessing transfer of going concern (TOGC) status.
Reviewing due diligence reports to identify potential VAT risks.
Aligning VAT registration and compliance obligations after completion.
Working with accountants and legal teams to ensure each step is correctly handled.
Accurate VAT treatment during transactions protects deal value and maintains operational continuity.
Why Choose Us
Our VAT consultants understand both the technical requirements and the practical realities UK businesses face. Our agency supports companies of all sizes, from start-ups to multinational groups, with compliance management, VAT recovery, and HMRC review handling. Each service begins with assessing your operations so VAT rules are applied accurately and consistently.
We combine strong technical knowledge with real-world application. Our guidance is clear, workable, and shaped by extensive experience across retail, construction, manufacturing, and professional services.
Industry Statistics That Matter
- VAT accounts for more than 20% of total UK tax revenue collected annually.
- HMRC’s VAT gap is estimated at over £9 billion per year.
- 35% of UK businesses make at least one VAT reporting error annually.
- Businesses that conduct annual VAT reviews reduce compliance costs by up to 25%.
- Over 70% of HMRC VAT penalties result from incorrect record-keeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
We handle registration, returns, reviews, property VAT, and international compliance, along with representation during HMRC audits.
Yes. We prepare and submit returns under Making Tax Digital (MTD) standards and ensure ongoing compliance.
Absolutely. We specialise in VAT for property sales, leases, and construction projects, including option to tax planning.
Yes. We perform detailed audits of past returns and prepare corrective submissions to reclaim overpaid or missed input VAT.
We manage filings for each branch, organise records separately or together, and keep everything aligned so your VAT stays in order across all operations.
Partner with UK VAT Consultants Who Deliver Clarity and Compliance
VAT should support your business, not create delays or uncertainty. With Pearl Lemon Tax, you work with advisors who understand the rules, the systems, and the risks involved. We manage compliance, identify reclaim opportunities, and keep your company aligned with every HMRC requirement.
