Research and analysis: Behaviours and experiences in relation to VAT registration

This research was conducted with businesses that registered for VAT in the last 2 financial years and those that had a turnover below, but close to, the threshold in the last 2 financial years.

Research consisted of two stages, 2,013 quantitative telephone interviews and 40 follow-up qualitative in-depth interviews.

The key research objectives were to explore:

  • the main factors that affect a business’ decision to voluntarily register for VAT when their turnover is below the VAT threshold
  • the main issues faced by newly VAT registered businesses, whether the current VAT simplification schemes address these issues and how they could be improved
  • the types of businesses that restrict business activities to remain below the VAT threshold, their main reasons for doing so and how they ensure they remain below the threshold


Source: HMRC