VAT number for an Italian working in the UK Thread poster: Cristina Mazzucchelli
|
|---|
Dear all,
At the end of August I will most probably move to London to get enrolled at Uni again to take an MA in technical translation and try to learn more about this great job...
Of course I will have to work at the same time, I guess at the beginning I will be doing a little bit of everything (waitress, secretary etc. etc.) to make a living but then, after a while, I would like to keep translating maybe as a freelance. Then problem is...I don't know how to do it (exc... See more Dear all,
At the end of August I will most probably move to London to get enrolled at Uni again to take an MA in technical translation and try to learn more about this great job...
Of course I will have to work at the same time, I guess at the beginning I will be doing a little bit of everything (waitress, secretary etc. etc.) to make a living but then, after a while, I would like to keep translating maybe as a freelance. Then problem is...I don't know how to do it (except for how I will find my own clients...but that's just another story!)as far as the tax matter is concerned.
I posted a very similar thread on the Italian forum and a colleague told me that if I don't get to £58,000 per year I don't have to have a VAT number, but still to open a UK VAT number I have to be residing in the UK... and what about if I work for "foreign" customers (maybe I can keep one or two of my Italian clients...)?
I am a little confused about this, I'd really appreciate your advice!
Thanks
Cristina ▲ Collapse
| | | |
| No matter where your clients are | Jun 10, 2005 |
Hi,
What counts is only where you live and where you pay for taxes, no matter where your clients are or which your nationality is.
BTW, there is nothing wrong with having no VAT no., if conditions for registering are not given, and it doesn't mean that you are not professional (I am saying this because I know how some Italians think about this...).
I'd suggest to ask a local tax advisor, once you are there.
Giuliana
| | | |
Andrea Re 
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:26
English to Italian
+ ...
I don't really know how things go in Italy (shame on me) tax-wise at least, but in the UK there is no need of VAT number until you don't go over a certain turn over. Cristina, if you are going to be here only for a wee while I wouldn't worry about it at all. You'll have to fill in a tax return form, but everybody who is self-employed has to.... What you will need is a National Insurance Number, but that will be given to you as soon you start earning and tell the tax office.
Andrea
| | | |
[Edited at 2005-08-05 23:41]
| | |
|
|
|
Louise Gough
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:26
German to English
+ ...
| Registering for VAT | Jun 10, 2005 |
Further to previous replies, I would suggest that it is a good idea for freelance translators in the UK to register for VAT regardless of their income. You can register voluntarily, even if you earn below the £58,000 threshold. You have to complete a return every three months and pay the tax collected from your clients, having deducted the VAT you yourself have paid on your business expenses. There is no disadvantage to translators in charging VAT to their clients (unlike other service provider... See more Further to previous replies, I would suggest that it is a good idea for freelance translators in the UK to register for VAT regardless of their income. You can register voluntarily, even if you earn below the £58,000 threshold. You have to complete a return every three months and pay the tax collected from your clients, having deducted the VAT you yourself have paid on your business expenses. There is no disadvantage to translators in charging VAT to their clients (unlike other service providers whose clients are ordinary members of the public), since most clients are also registered businesses and will reclaim this VAT when they submit their own VAT return. The benefit for you as the translator is that you can claim your own input tax, i.e. VAT on your own business expenses and running costs etc., which you can't do if you are not registered.
Re clients outside the UK: if the client is based in the EU you don't charge VAT but have to state the customer's VAT number on your invoice (to enable some kind of reciprocal arrangement to operate). If the client is outside the EU, you don't charge it at all.
Best regards
Louise ▲ Collapse
| | | |
LuciaC
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:26
English to Italian
+ ...
| Phone the Inland Revenue | Jun 10, 2005 |
They are very kind and helpful.
Usually, if you go abroad to study, you are supposed to keep your 'residenza' in Italy (I worked in a Consulate and that's what we had to tell students) but if you intend to work that's another matter. I would also contact the Agenzia delle entrate and make things very clear on both sides.
In order to work freelance in the UK you have to tell the Inland Revenue (a phone call is enough). You don't pay taxes on the first £ 5000 you earn (... See more They are very kind and helpful.
Usually, if you go abroad to study, you are supposed to keep your 'residenza' in Italy (I worked in a Consulate and that's what we had to tell students) but if you intend to work that's another matter. I would also contact the Agenzia delle entrate and make things very clear on both sides.
In order to work freelance in the UK you have to tell the Inland Revenue (a phone call is enough). You don't pay taxes on the first £ 5000 you earn (personal allowance) but you still need to fill in a tax return.
Buona fortuna
Lucia ▲ Collapse
| | | |
| Thanks a lot! | Jun 13, 2005 |
Thanks a lot for your advice/suggestions!
Now the matter is a lot clearer to me and I guess it will be even more understandable when I'll be there...I'll phone the Inland Revenues and also contact a local tax advisor! And...I'll keep you updated!
| | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
