Question 1

Is this legal? Can I really reclaim VAT from before I registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! This is an official HMRC provision called "pre-registration VAT reclaim". You can reclaim VAT on goods purchased up to 4 years before registration, and services purchased up to 6 months before. This is a legitimate tax relief designed to help growing businesses.

Question 2

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

From start to finish, most claims take 4-8 weeks. You'll spend 10-15 minutes uploading invoices, we process everything within 48 hours, and HMRC typically responds within 4-6 weeks. If approved, the money lands in your account in 3-5 business days.

Question 3

What if HMRC rejects my claim?

Accepted Answer

You pay nothing. Our "no win, no fee" model means we only get paid if your claim is successful. If HMRC rejects it, you've lost nothing but 10 minutes of your time. We also pre-screen all claims to maximize approval chances.

Question 4

What types of expenses qualify?

Accepted Answer

Most business expenses qualify: computers, office equipment, software subscriptions, professional services (legal, accounting, marketing), office furniture, and tools/equipment. The key requirements: (1) you still own/use goods, (2) expenses were for your VAT-registered business, (3) you have valid VAT invoices.

Question 5

How much does this cost?

Accepted Answer

We charge 30% + VAT of the reclaimed amount, and only if successful. For example, if you reclaim £2,000, our fee is £600 + VAT. If HMRC rejects your claim, you pay £0. No upfront costs, no hidden fees.

Question 6

Can't I just do this myself or use my accountant?

Accepted Answer

You absolutely can! But most accountants either don't offer this service or charge £500-£1,500 upfront regardless of success. Doing it yourself requires understanding HMRC forms (VAT427), gathering evidence, and dealing with potential queries. We handle everything, only charge on success, and most clients find it saves them hours of admin.

Question 7

What documents do I need?

Accepted Answer

Just your VAT invoices (receipts showing VAT charged). These can be PDFs, photos, or scanned copies. We'll also need your VAT registration date and business details, but we guide you through everything step-by-step.

Question 8

When did I register for VAT?

Accepted Answer

Your VAT registration date is on your VAT certificate from HMRC. If you can't find it, you can check your HMRC online account, or look at your first VAT return. Alternatively, just contact us and we can help you find it.

Question 9

What if I don't have all my invoices?

Accepted Answer

No problem! You can often request copies from suppliers. Even if you can't find everything, you can still claim for the invoices you do have. Most of our clients reclaim £1,000-£3,000 even with partial documentation.

Question 10

Is my claim confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely. We handle your data in accordance with GDPR and UK data protection laws. Only our processing team and HMRC see your information, and we never share it with third parties.

Question 11

What makes you different from other services?

Accepted Answer

Three things: (1) We specialize exclusively in pre-registration VAT reclaims, (2) True no-win-no-fee with no upfront costs, (3) Most claims processed within 48 hours. Many accountants don't offer this service or charge upfront. Other services charge 40-50% commission. We're focused, fast, and fair.

Question 12

Can companies of any age/size use this?

Accepted Answer

If you registered for VAT within the last 4 years, you can claim. However, this is most valuable for companies 1-5 years old who recently crossed the £90k VAT threshold. Older companies may still qualify if they registered for VAT late.

Frequently Asked Questions