Taxation logo taxation mission text

Since 1927 the leading authority on tax law, practice and administration

Readers' forum: Agent or principal?

17 December 2018
Issue: 4677 / Categories: Forum & Feedback

VAT charge on changed commercial arrangement?

A taxi firm is VAT registered and has two main sources of income. First it charges self-employed taxi drivers a commission for trips it gives them – this is based on 20% of the fare paid by the customer plus VAT. The commission applies to cash customers and those (mainly business customers) who have an account with the firm. Second the firm charges each driver a weekly fee of £50 plus VAT towards overheads.

My client has proposed a change in trading structure so that no weekly fee is charged to the drivers but my client instead retains the gross fee from account work – and pays the drivers a 40% commission.

My concern is whether the change in structure will create a VAT problem. I don’t think so because HMRC will end up with more output tax under the new arrangement. But is there a risk...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxation.co.uk, please click the login box below:

If you are not a subscriber but are a registered user or have a free trial, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this item in full.

Please reach out to customer services at +44 (0) 330 161 1234 or 'customer.services@lexisnexis.co.uk' for further assistance.

back to top icon