VAT

Our team of dedicated VAT specialists advises on all aspects of VAT.

Our clients include financial institutions, particularly banks and asset managers, large multinational groups, property investors and developers, high-net-worth individuals and third sector organisations.

Our range of services includes:

performing VAT risk and opportunity reviews;
structuring of corporate and real estate transactions;
analysis of cross-border supply chains;
advising on business acquisitions, disposals and restructurings;
advising on the establishment of new investment vehicles, both UK and non-UK;
assisting in disputes with tax authorities, including negotiation of settlements, undertaking of Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures and litigation;
reviewing partial exemption methods and agreeing new partial methods with HMRC; and
advising on outsourcing arrangements.

See all contacts

Chris Mortimer

Senior Counsel

+44 (0)20 7849 2149 Email Chris

Charishma Bhujohory

Senior Associate

+44 (0)20 7849 2643 Email Charishma

Jack Slater

Associate

+44 (0)20 7849 2592 Email Jack

In depth

VAT disputes – handling HMRC enquiries and disputes

Chris Mortimer, Gideon Sanitt, Charishma Bhujohory, Lucy Green 31 Oct 2023

In the second part in a series of notes on handling VAT disputes, we set out common topics of disputes and steps that can be taken to mitigate the risk of a dispute.

Supreme Court finds loan administration services are subject to VAT

Chris Mortimer, Jack Slater, Lucy Green 12 Oct 2023

The Supreme Court has found that supplies of loan administration services made by Target Group Ltd (Target) did not qualify for VAT-exemption. The decision is potentially relevant...

Fees paid to a SIPP administrator do not fall within the VAT exemption for supplies of insurance

Chris Mortimer, Lucy Green, Jack Slater 03 Oct 2023

The Upper Tribunal (UT) dismissed an appeal by SIPP administrator Intelligent Money Limited (IML), who claimed the VAT exemption for insurance transactions applied to the fees it...

Recent work

Superfund vehicle

Advising on the establishment of a high-profile pension "superfund" vehicle (the first of its kind) for consolidating assets of a number of defined benefit pension schemes.

A well-known charity

Advising a well-known charity on the availability of VAT exemption for admission fees it charges to members of the public.

REIT

Advising a REIT on its successful application to register for VAT and secure a backdated repayment of VAT. Included handling all discussions with HMRC.

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VAT