Margin schemes

Tertiary legislation about VAT margin schemes.

Margin Schemes

Notice made under The VAT (Special Provisions) Order 1995 and The VAT (Cars) Order 1992)

1. Force of law

In UK law, Section 50A of the VAT Act 1994 allows the Treasury to make Orders to introduce Margin Schemes. 

Article 8(1) of the VAT (Cars) Order 1992 (SI 1992/3122 (as amended) (“the 1992 Order”)):

Subject to complying with such conditions (including the keeping of such records and accounts) as the Commissioners may direct in a notice published by them for the purposes of this Order or may otherwise direct, and subject to paragraph (3) below, where a person supplies a used motor car which he took possession of in any of the circumstances set out in paragraph (2) below, he may opt to account for the VAT chargeable on the supply on the profit margin on the supply instead of by reference to its value.

Article 12(1) of The VAT (Special Provisions) Order 1995 (SI 1995/1268) (as amended) (the “1995 Order”):

Without prejudice to article 13 below and subject to complying with such conditions as the Commissioners may direct in a notice published by them for the purposes of this Order or may otherwise direct and subject to paragraph (4) below, where a person supplies goods of a description in paragraph (2) below, of which he took possession in any of the circumstances set out in paragraph (3) below, he may opt to account for the VAT chargeable on the supply on the profit margin on the supply instead of by reference to its value.

Article 13(1) of The VAT (Special Provisions) Order 1995 (SI 1995/1268) (as amended) (the “1995 Order”):

Subject to complying with such conditions as the Commissioners may direct in a notice published by them for the purposes of this Order or may otherwise direct, and subject to paragraph (2) below, a taxable person who has opted under article 12(1) above may account for VAT on the total profit margin on goods supplied by him during a prescribed accounting period, calculated in accordance with paragraph (3) below, instead of the profit margin on each supply.

Use of the schemes is subject to compliance with those conditions or directions.

This notice sets out the conditions and directions having force of law under these articles.

2. Stock book

 2.1 General requirements

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

You must maintain a stock book in written or electronic form.

There is an exception to this requirement when using the Auctioneers scheme (see 2.6 below) and for occasional sales (see 8 below).

2.2 Detailed records

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

Your stock book must contain the following information for items bought and sold under a Margin Scheme.

Purchases:                                                          

  • Unique stock number (in numerical sequence)
  • Date of purchase                                          
  • Purchase invoice number                             
  • Name of seller                                              
  • Description of the item                                 
  • Purchase price                                             

Sales:

  • Date of sale
  • Sales invoice number
  • Name of buyer
  • Description of the item
  • Sales price, or method of disposal
  • Margin achieved on sale
  • VAT due on margin

There is an exception to this requirement when using the Auctioneers scheme (see 2.6 below).

2.3 Additional requirements for vehicles

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

The stock book must also record the:

  • the vehicle registration number (VRN) or if none, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
  • a description consisting of the make, model and colour)

2.4 Additional requirements for horses and ponies

The following has force of law under Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

In addition to the general stock book requirements (see para 2.2 above), you must also include enough information in your stock book to identify the horse or pony, including: 

  • If the purchase price of the horse or pony is more than £500:
    • unique identifying passport number or
    • a vet must certify that the horse or pony is the one described on the invoice.
  • colour
  • sex
  • type or breed, for example, cob or thoroughbred
  • height
  • distinctive markings

And where known:

  • age
  • stable name

2.5 BETA scheme for horses and ponies

The following has force of law under Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

As an alternative to the margin scheme invoice requirements, you may use the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) form provided you complete it in full.  You should use one form for each horse or pony you buy or sell.

 2.6 Auctioneers scheme

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

You must retain a stock book in keeping with para 2.1 and 2.2 above or retain sufficient alternative records which provides the information in para 2.2. 

Examples of alternative records may include:

  • entry forms
  • sales catalogues
  • copies of lots and sales of the day
  • copies of sales and purchase invoices

 3. Stock number

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

Each purchase must be allocated a unique, sequential number: the stock number.

To ensure an audit trail is maintained, the stock number must be noted on the purchase and sales invoices.

4. Issue sales invoices containing specific information

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

You must include the following information on sales invoices for all Margin Scheme sales.

  • Your name, address and VAT registration number
  • The buyer’s name and address
  • Invoice number
  • Date of sale
  • Stock book number (see paragraph 3)
  • Description of the item
  • Total price – you must not show VAT separately

4.1 Special rules for the Auctioneers Scheme

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

When you sell an item under the scheme, you must issue an invoice to both the buyer and the seller.

You must issue the:

  • seller with an invoice or statement which includes all the details listed below
  • buyer with an invoice or other document which includes all the details listed below

Purchase invoice or statement

You must issue the seller with an invoice or statement which includes  the following details:

  • seller’s name and address
  • your name and address
  • a means of cross-referencing between the sales system and the stock book, for example, the stock book number
  • invoice number
  • date of transaction
  • a description of the item
  • the price of the goods sold at auction
  • any commission charges you made to the seller (you must not show a separate amount of VAT on these charges)
  • the net amount due to the seller- this amount will form
    • your purchase price
    • the selling price for a seller who is VAT-registered and is using the Margin Scheme.

5. Issue self-billed invoices to suppliers, containing specific information

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

If you’re buying from a private individual or an unregistered business, you must make out the purchase invoice yourself (a self-billed invoice).

When completing a self-billed invoice, you must include the following specific information.

  • Seller’s name and address
  • Your name, address and VAT registration number
  • Invoice number
  • Date of transaction
  • Stock book number
  • Description of the item(s)
  • Total price paid – you must not add any other costs to this price

6. Global Accounting Scheme

The following has force of law under Article 13(1) of the 1995 Order

6.1 Sales invoice

You must include the following information on sales invoices for Global Accounting sales: 

  • Your name, address and VAT registration number
  • The buyer’s name and address
  • Invoice number
  • Date of sale
  • Description of goods (this must be sufficient to enable us to verify that the goods are eligible for global accounting, for example 4 tables, 10 chairs – ’assorted goods’ is not acceptable)
  • Total price - you must not show VAT separately

 6.2 Purchase invoice

If you’re buying from a private individual or an unregistered business, you must make out the purchase invoice yourself (a self-billed invoice).

When completing a self-billed invoice, you must include the following specific information.

  • Seller’s name and address
  • Your name, address and VAT registration number
  • Invoice number
  • Date of transaction
  • Description of the item(s)
  • Total price paid

6.3 Records

You must keep a record of all purchases and sales and calculations of how the global margin was calculated.

Global accounting records should be separate from any margin scheme records.

6.4 Goods lost through breakage, theft or destruction

If you lose any goods through breakage, theft or destruction, you must subtract their purchase price from your global accounting purchase record. 

6.5 Use of global scheme for scrap vehicles.

You can include second-hand motor vehicles in the global margin scheme if you break them up and sell the parts on as scrap. However, the margin schemes can’t be used for the sale of parts valued at over £500.

6.6 Commencement of use of global scheme.

When you start using the global accounting scheme, you may include any eligible stock on hand.

You must be able to identify the:

  • eligible stock
  • purchase value

6.7 Cessation of use of global scheme.

In the final period you use the scheme, you must make a closing adjustment to take account of purchases for which you have taken credit, but which have not been sold.

7  Pawned Goods

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

7.1 Additional conditions for pawned goods

In addition to the general conditions, you can only use a margin scheme if all of the following apply:

  • loan is for £75 or less

  • the loan period was for at least 6 months

7.2 Restoration of pledge

If the pledge is restored during the period of grace, then there will be no VAT due on the supply provided you:

  • record the redemption in your pledge stock records
  • stamp the ‘Credit Agreement and Pawn Receipt’ with the date of redemption and keep it for inspection

7.3 Purchase invoice for pawned goods

You can keep the credit agreement or pawn receipt as your purchase invoice, as long as:

  • the contract number is entered in your pledge stock record and cross refers to the credit agreement
  • a copy of the interest calculations and total purchase value for margin scheme purposes is attached, if it differs from the amount shown on the receipt.

8. Occasional Sales

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) of the 1995 Order

Businesses that make an occasional sale of eligible goods do not need to comply with the full record-keeping requirements.

You do not have to maintain a stock book for occasional sales, but you must retain the purchase and sales invoice with evidence of how the margin is calculated.

9. Sale or Return

The following has force of law under Article 8(1) of the 1992 Order and Article 12(1) and 13(1) of the 1995 Order

9.1 Goods transferred to you

For eligible goods transferred to you on a sale or return basis the following should be recorded in your records

  • the date of transfer of the item
  • description of the item
  • the name and address of the dealer or person transferring the item to you
  • the date of sale or return or date of adoption

9.2 Goods transferred from you

For eligible goods you transfer to another business on a sale or return basis you should keep a record of:

  • the date of transfer from you on a sale or return basis of the item
  • description of the item
  • the name and address of the dealer or person you transferred the goods to
  • the date of subsequent adoption by that person

Tour Operators Margin Schemes

The following content has force of law under S53(1) of VATA Arts 3 & 7 of The VAT (Tour Operators) Order 1987 (1987/1806) and was originally published in VAT Notice 709/5.

1. Market Value calculation (annual adjustment)

Only use this section if you have packages or parts of packages being apportioned by the market value of the in-house element of the package. On completion of all the steps M1-M5 you must then follow the steps in the cost-based calculation in section 2, taking forward the figures from this section as instructed.

1.1 Calculate the value of sales of Margin Scheme packages

Step
M1 Total the VAT-inclusive selling prices of all your in-house and Margin Scheme packages supplied during the financial year including any that are not ‘market value’ packages.

1.2 Working out the market value

Step
M2 Total the VAT inclusive market value of the standard-rated in-house supplies at M1: carry forward this figure to step 21 of section 2
M2.5 Total the VAT inclusive market value of the reduced-rated in-house supplies at M1: carry forward this figure to step 21.5 of section 2
M3 Total the VAT inclusive market value of the zero-rated and outside the scope in-house travel services at M1: carry forward this figure to step 26 of section 2
M4 Total the VAT inclusive market value of the in-house supplies at step M2, M2.5 and M3

1.3 Working out selling value of Margin Scheme supplies and non-market value in-house supplies

Step
M5 Deduct the total at step M4 from the total at step M1: carry forward this figure to step 1 of section 2

2. Cost-based calculation (annual adjustment)

This section applies to packages being apportioned by reference to the costs of the in-house element of the package, and imports the figures calculated by the market value method in section 1, where that method is used for all or some of the travel packages. Do not include values already entered in section 1 unless explicitly instructed.

2.1 Working out the total sales of Margin Scheme packages

Step
1 Bring forward the total calculated at step M5 of section 1. If section 1 is not used then enter the VAT-inclusive selling prices of your in-house and Margin Scheme packages supplied during the financial year.

2.2 Working out the purchase prices of Margin Scheme supplies

Step
2 Total the VAT-inclusive purchase prices of the standard-rated Margin Scheme supplies to be enjoyed in the UK included in the total at step 1.
3 Total the VAT-inclusive purchase prices of the Margin Scheme supplies (to be enjoyed outside the UK) included in the total at step 1.

2.3 Working out the direct costs of in-house supplies.

Steps 4 to 7 should not include costs relating to an in-house supply accounted for under section 1 (market value)

Step
4 Total the VAT-exclusive direct costs to you of the standard-rated in-house supplies included in step 1. Add a percentage of that amount equivalent to the standard rate of VAT.
4.5 Total the VAT-exclusive direct costs to you of the reduced-rated in-house supplies included in step 1. Add a percentage of that amount equivalent to the reduced rate of VAT.
5 Total the VAT-exclusive direct costs to you of the zero-rated in-house supplies included in step 1.
6 Total the VAT-inclusive direct costs to you of the exempt in-house supplies included in step 1. Deduct any input tax that you are entitled to recover on these costs.
7 Total the direct costs to you of the in-house supplies included in step 1 that are supplied outside the UK, exclusive of any VAT incurred on these costs that you are entitled to recover.

2.4 Working out the ‘costs’ of agency supplies

Step
8 Total the VAT-inclusive amounts paid by you to your principals in respect of the agency supplies included in step 1 for which the consideration you receive is standard-rated.
8.5 Total the VAT-inclusive amounts paid by you to your principals in respect of the agency supplies included in step 1 for which the consideration you receive is reduced-rated.
9 Total the VAT-inclusive amounts paid by you to your principals in respect of the agency supplies included in step 1 not already accounted for in step 8 and 8.5.

2.5 Working out the total margin

Step
10 Add the totals of costs at steps 2 to 9 inclusive
11 Calculate the total margin for all the supplies included in step 1 by deducting the total at step 10 from the total at step 1.

2.6 Apportioning the margin

Step
12 Calculate the margin for the standard-rated Margin Scheme supplies to be enjoyed in the UK by applying the following formula:
total at step 2 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
13 Calculate the margin for the zero-rated Margin Scheme supplies to be enjoyed outside the UK by applying the following formula:
total at step 3 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  

Steps 14 to 17 can be ignored where a market value is applied to all in-house supplies under section 1

Step
14 Calculate the margin for the standard-rated in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 4 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
14.5 Calculate the margin for the reduce rate in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 4.5 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
15 Calculate the margin for the zero-rated in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 5 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
16 Calculate the margin for the exempt in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 6 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
17 Calculate the margin for the in-house supplies made outside the UK by applying the following formula:
total at step 7 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
18 Calculate the consideration for the standard-rated agency supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 8 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
18.5 Calculate the consideration for the reduced rate agency supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 8.5 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  
19 Calculate the consideration for the non-standard-rated agency supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 9 ÷ by total at step 10 × total at step 11  

2.7 Working out your output tax

Step
20 Calculate the output VAT due on the Margin Scheme supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 12 × the VAT fraction  
21 Calculate the output VAT due on the standard-rated in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 4 + total at step 14 + total calculated at step M2 of section 1 × the VAT fraction  
21.5 Calculate the output VAT due on the reduce rate in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 4.5 + total at step 14.5 + total calculated at step M2.5 of section 1 × the VAT fraction  
22 Calculate the output VAT due on the standard-rated agency supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 18 × the VAT fraction  
22.5 Calculate the output VAT due on the reduced rate agency supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 18.5 × the VAT fraction  

2.8 Working out sales values

Step
23 Calculate the VAT-exclusive value of the standard-rated Margin Scheme supplies by deducting the total at step 20 from the total at step 12.
24 Note the value of the zero-rated Margin Scheme supplies at step 13
25 Calculate the VAT-exclusive value of your standard-rated in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 4 + total at step 14 + total calculated at step M2 of section 1 - total at step 21  
25.5 Calculate the VAT-exclusive value of your reduced rate in-house supplies by applying the following formula:
total at step 4.5 + total at step 14.5 + total calculated at step M2.5 of section 1 - total at step 21.5  
26 Calculate the value of the zero-rated supplies made within the scheme by applying the following formula:
total at step 5 + total at step 15 + total calculated at step M3 of section 1  
27 Calculate the value of your exempt in-house supplies made by applying the following formula:
total at step 6 + total at step 16  
28 Calculate the value of your in-house supplies which are supplied outside the UK by applying the following formula:
total at step 7 + total at step 17  
29 Calculate the total VAT exclusive value of the supplies:
total of steps 23 to 28. Include this total in box 6 of your VAT return.  

2.9 Working out the annual adjustment

Step
30 Calculate the total output VAT due on your Margin Scheme supplies by adding the totals at steps 20 to 22.5 inclusive.
31 Total the provisional output VAT which has been accounted for during the financial year on the supplies included in the total at step 1.
32 Deduct the total at step 31 from the total at step 30. Include the resulting total in box 1 of your VAT return, either as a payable amount where the amount is positive or as a deductible amount where the amount is negative.

3. Accounting for VAT on the provisional value of Margin Scheme supplies

3.1 Working out the provisional percentage

Step
1 Calculate the VAT-inclusive amount of your standard-rated Margin Scheme supplies for the preceding financial year by adding the totals from steps 4, 4.5, 12, 12.5, 14, 14.5, 18 and 18.5 of section 9, together with the total M2 and M2.5 in the market value calculation in section 8.
2 Calculate the VAT-inclusive standard-rated percentage of the total selling price of all your Margin Scheme supplies for the preceding tax year by applying them one of following formulae:

If you have used a market value to value in-house supplies

total at step 1 of section 10 ÷ total at step M1 of section 8 × 100

If you have not used a market value to value in-house supplies

total at step 1 of section 10 ÷ total at step 1 of section 9 × 100

3.2 Working out the VAT return figures

Step
3 Total the VAT-inclusive selling prices of the Margin Scheme supplies supplied during the prescribed accounting period.
4 Calculate the provisional VAT-inclusive amount of your standard-rated Margin Scheme supplies made during the prescribed accounting period by applying the following formula:
total at step 3 × percentage at step 2  
5 Calculate the provisional amount of output VAT due for the prescribed accounting period by applying the following formula:
total at step 4 × the standard rate VAT fraction  

4. Simplified end-of-year calculation (annual adjustment)

Step
1 Total the VAT-inclusive selling prices of your Margin Scheme supplies supplied during the financial year.
2 Total the VAT-inclusive purchase prices of the Margin Scheme supplies included in the total at step 1.
3 Calculate the VAT-inclusive amount of the supplies included in step 1 by deducting the total at step 2 from the total at step 1.
4 Calculate the total output VAT due on your Margin Scheme supplies and Margin Scheme packages by applying the following formula:
total at step 3 × the standard rate VAT fraction.  
5 Calculate the VAT-exclusive value of your Margin Scheme supplies by deducting the total at step 4 from the total at step 3.
6 Total the provisional output VAT which has been accounted for during the financial year on the supplies included in the total at step 1.
7 Deduct the total at step 6 from the total at step 4. Include the resulting total in box 1 of your VAT return, either as a payable amount where the amount is positive or as a deductible amount where the amount is negative.

5. Accounting for VAT on the provisional value of Margin Scheme supplies when the simplified calculation applies (all supplies standard-rated)

Step
1 Calculate the VAT-inclusive standard-rated percentage of the total selling price of all your Margin Scheme supplies and Margin Scheme packages for the preceding tax year by applying the following formula:
total at step 3 of section 4 × 100 ÷ total at step 1 of section 4  
2 Total the VAT-inclusive selling prices of all of your Margin Scheme supplies and Margin Scheme packages supplied during the prescribed accounting period.
3 Calculate the provisional VAT-inclusive amount of your standard-rated supplies of Margin Scheme supplies and Margin Scheme packages made during the prescribed accounting period by applying the following formula
total at step 2 × percentage at step 1  
4 Calculate the provisional amount of output VAT due for the prescribed accounting period by applying the following formula:
total at step 3 × the standard rated VAT fraction  
5 Calculate the provisional VAT-exclusive value of all of your Margin Scheme supplies and Margin Scheme packages made during the prescribed accounting period by deducting the total at step 4 from the total at step 3.

6. Tertiary Law

TL1
1. This section shall come into effect on 1 January 2021.

2. Where a tour operator, in the same financial year, supplies:-

(a) Margin Scheme supplies or Margin Scheme packages which are to be enjoyed wholly outside the United Kingdom, and

(b) Margin Scheme supplies or Margin Scheme packages which are to be enjoyed wholly or partly within the United Kingdom,

the Commissioners of HMRC may, on being given written notification by the tour operator no later than the due date for rendering his first VAT return for the financial year in which the supplies are to be made, allow the supplies under sub-paragraph (a) to be valued separately from those under sub-paragraph (b).

3. Where a tour operator, under paragraph 2 above, has separately valued Margin Scheme supplies enjoyed wholly outside the United Kingdom from supplies of Margin Scheme supplies enjoyed wholly or partly within the United Kingdom, the Commissioners of HMRC may, on being given written notification by the tour operator no later than the due date for rendering his first VAT return for any subsequent financial year, allow supplies to be made in such subsequent financial year to be valued using the method specified at section 8 of this notice.
TL2
1. This section shall come into effect on 1 January 1998.

2. Where:-

(a) a supply of goods or services is acquired by a tour operator for the purpose of supplying a Margin Scheme supply, and

(b) the value of the supply to the tour operator is expressed in a currency other than sterling,

the tour operator must convert such value into sterling for the purposes of steps 2 and 3 of section 8 of this notice or step 2 of section 11 of this notice.

3. For the purposes of paragraph 2 above, the tour operator must use:

(a) the rate of exchange published in the Financial Times using the Federation of Tour Operators’ base rate current at the time such supplies were costed by the person from whom the tour operator has acquired the goods or services, or

(b) the commercial rate of exchange current at the time that the supplies in his brochure were costed, or

(c) the rate published in the Financial Times on the date that the tour operator pays for the supplies, or

(d) the rate of exchange which was applicable to the purchase by the tour operator of the foreign currency which they used to pay for those supplies, or

(e) the period rate of exchange published by HMRC for customs purposes in force at the time the tour operator pays for those supplies.

4. Where the methods at paragraph 3(a) or (b) above are used, the tour operator must publish the rate in any brochure or leaflet in which these supplies are held out for sale.

5. The Commissioners of HMRC may, on being given written notification by a tour operator no later than the due date for rendering his first return of his financial year, allow a different method to be used in that financial year from that used in the previous financial year.
TL3
1. This section shall come into effect on 1 October 2010

2. Where possible the value of any in-house supplies shall be valued by reference to their market value and the value of Margin Scheme supplies and agency supplies shall be determined by applying the formula set out in section 8 of this notice (hereinafter referred to as the ‘market value calculation’), unless during the relevant period all such supplies are liable to VAT at the same rate, in which case the value shall be determined by applying the formula set out in section 11 of this notice (hereinafter referred to as ‘the simplified calculation’).

3. On completing the steps in the market value calculation the figures produced must be entered into the cost-based calculation as detailed in section 9 together with any packages, or parts of packages, for which the market value calculation is not being done.

4. Where the cost-based calculation in TL4 accurately reflects the structure of the package holidays you may opt to use the cost-based calculation for all packages regardless of whether a market value can be established for some or all of the packages and section 8 calculation may be ignored.

5. Where the market value calculation has been used a tour operator may only cease to use that method where it becomes impossible to continue to determine a market value of the supply in question or where the cost-based calculation accurately reflects the structure of the package. A change of method to gain a more favourable VAT outcome is not permitted.
TL4
1. Subject to sections TL1 and TL3 of section 13 of this Notice, the value of Margin Scheme supplies, in-house supplies and agency supplies shall be determined by applying the formula set out in section 9 of this notice (hereinafter referred to as the ‘cost-based calculation’), unless during the relevant period all such supplies are liable to VAT at standard rate, in which case the value shall be determined by applying the formula set out in section 11 of this notice (hereinafter referred to as ‘the simplified calculation’).

2. The provisional value of Margin Scheme supplies, in-house supplies and agency supplies shall be determined in accordance with the formula set out in:-

section 10 of this notice, where the cost-based calculation applies, or

section 12 of this notice, where the simplified calculation applies.

3. A tour operator shall be required to account for VAT on the provisional value of his supplies of Margin Scheme supplies, in-house supplies and agency supplies on the VAT return for the prescribed accounting period in which the supplies are made.

4. The difference between the amount of VAT due on the value of Margin Scheme supplies, in-house supplies and agency supplies supplied during a tour operator’s financial year, and the amount of VAT paid on the provisional value of those supplies, shall be adjusted by the tour operator on the VAT return for the first prescribed accounting period ending after the end of the financial year during which the supplies were made.
TL5
1. For the purpose of sections 8 to 13 of this notice:-

(a) ‘in-house supply’ means a supply by a tour operator which is neither a Margin Scheme supply nor an agency supply,

(b) ‘market value’ means the selling price of the in-house element of a ‘Margin Scheme package’ were it to be sold independent of the package in an arms-length transaction to an unconnected person.

(c) ‘cost based method’ means the calculation in section 9 of this notice.

(d) ‘agency supply’ means a supply arranged by a tour operator between 2 other persons, in the capacity of an agent or intermediary for either person, for which the tour operator receives a consideration, the value of which is not readily identifiable,

(e) ‘Margin Scheme package’ means a single transaction which includes one or more Margin Scheme supplies,

(f) ‘financial year’ means a period corresponding to a tour operator’s financial year for accounting purposes,

(g) ‘direct costs’ means costs which are directly and specifically attributable to the provision of in-house supplies, to the extent that they are so attributable,

(h) ‘VAT fraction’ has the same meaning as in VAT guide (VAT Notice 700),

(i) ‘Margin Scheme Supply’ has the same meaning as ‘designated travel service’ in paragraph 3(1) of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) Order 1987