If you are a trader located in the UK or other EU country that has adopted vat as a medium of taxation then you should use online VAT registration for faster and secure vat registering. Most countries have computerised their vat operations and you too should save on time and effort by using all online vat services provided by your vat department.

In the UK vat rules specify that you could apply for vat registration in case your taxable sales rise over the vat threshold limit of £70,000 in the past 1 year or if you feel they are going to do this within the next 30 days, although you can still register even before the sales touch this figure. However, you can at present only complete basic vat online registration by filling and submitting vat form 1 online. This form is normally vatverification used by small businesses. In case your business is a partnership firm, a group of companies, or intends to conduct business internationally then you can download and print all vat registration forms but will probably be required to fill up the form manually before sending it to the HM Revenue and Customs or hmrc vat department.

If you are planning to go in for online vat registration in another eu country which has adopted vat then you will have to first study all applicable vat rules before you decide to register your organization online. Should you have trouble in deciphering uk vat or eu vat rules then it is better if you appoint a vat agent or even a customs and excise customs vat agent in case you plan to conduct your business on an international level. This will enable you to remain safe while following all vat rules in different countries with falling foul of any department.

Once you send your vat online registration form to your hmrc department then you’ll receive a vat questionnaire within 15 days that will need additional details to be submitted including your business address, telephone and fax numbers, bank account numbers, and a lot of other details connected to your small business together with a few purchase and sales invoices.

Once your application is approved you will receive your vat number and you will now need to change your invoicing approach to issue vat invoices for all your sales. This vat invoice will need to display your vat no, vat rate, vat amount and also the same must also be displayed on your vat returns that will need to be submitted to the hmrc vat department at regular intervals.

Currently, in the UK there are 3 types of vat rates applicable to all services and goods. The standard vat rates are 17.5% that’s set to increase to 20% from January 4, 2011 onwards. There is a reduced vat rate of 5% plus a zero vat rate on specific services and goods which will stay the same. There are also certain products or services which are vat exempt. However, the vat rates will vary in each eu country even though basic reasoning behind charging vat tax remains the same in all vat enabled countries.

If you wish to register your business for vat then going online may help save your time plus allow you to securely complete the necessary process required for vat registration. You ought to simply log on to the hmrc vat department in case your organization is based in the UK or ask your vat agent to do this for you before using online vat registration to have registered as a vat dealer without any problem.