VAT Reverse Charge Checker
The CIS domestic reverse charge confuses everyone. Answer five quick questions and find out if it applies to your invoice.
"Domestic reverse charge: customer to account for the VAT to HMRC. No VAT has been charged on this invoice." — show the VAT rate that applies (e.g. 20%) but charge £0.
General guidance, not tax advice. End-user and intermediary rules have edge cases — confirm anything unusual with your accountant or HMRC.
Let the app handle it
Tradeyuk has a reverse-charge toggle that sets £0 VAT, adds the right wording automatically, and syncs it to Xero correctly.
Try Tradeyuk free →What is the domestic reverse charge?
Since March 2021, VAT on most construction services between VAT-registered businesses is handled by the customer, not the supplier. Instead of you charging VAT and paying it to HMRC, your customer accounts for it on their own return.
It applies when the work is reportable under CIS, both sides are VAT registered, the supply is standard or reduced rated, and the customer isn't an end user. If any of those isn't true, you charge VAT the normal way.
Common questions
When does reverse charge apply?
Both parties VAT registered, work reportable under CIS, standard or reduced rated, and the customer is not an end user.
What's an "end user"?
A business or person receiving the work for their own use who doesn't sell the construction on. Supplies to end users use normal VAT.
What wording do I need?
State that the domestic reverse charge applies and that the customer must account for the VAT, with £0 VAT charged on the invoice.