diff --git a/src/Taxes.md b/src/Taxes.md index c4fecc2..718e579 100644 --- a/src/Taxes.md +++ b/src/Taxes.md @@ -1,6 +1,11 @@ % Taxes +## Income tax + - [[Personal income and taxes]] - [How to use ledger(1) to track US income taxes](https://mumble.net/~campbell/2017/08/06/ledger/HOWTO-track-tax) - [Another Ledger user's perspective](https://groups.google.com/d/msg/beancount/QV4qgpFbtJ8/9fSgMw-XGC8J) 2015 +## Value-added tax + +- [[VAT]] diff --git a/src/VAT.md b/src/VAT.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1cc6a0e --- /dev/null +++ b/src/VAT.md @@ -0,0 +1,64 @@ +VAT is a consumption tax applied at each stage of production and distribution where value is added. +For businesses registered for VAT, maintaining accurate records is important for compliance and tracking tax liabilities. + +### Recording a Purchase with VAT (Input VAT) + +When a business purchases goods or services from a VAT-registered supplier, it pays VAT (Input VAT) that can typically be reclaimed. This reclaimed VAT is considered an asset. + +Example: Buying office supplies for £100 with 20% VAT. + +```hledger +2025-01-01 * Purchase office supplies + expenses:office supplies £100 + assets:vat:input £20 + assets:cash -£120 +``` + +### Recording a Sale with VAT (Output VAT) + +When a business sells goods or services, it collects VAT (Output VAT) from the customer and owes this amount to the tax authorities. Output VAT is considered a liability. + +Example: Selling goods for £500 with 20% VAT. + +```hledger +2025-01-02 * Sale of goods + assets:cash £600 + income:sales -£500 + liabilities:vat:output -£100 +``` + +### Balancing VAT at the end of the Period + +At the end of a VAT period (e.g., monthly or quarterly), the business balances the Input VAT and Output VAT accounts to determine the net VAT payable or receivable. + +Example (VAT Payable): Output VAT is £100 and Input VAT is £20. + +```hledger +2025-01-31 * VAT adjustment + ; consolidate smaller into larger + assets:vat:input -£20 = £0 + liabilities:vat:output £20 + ; convert to a payable or receivable + liabilities:vat:output £80 = £0 + liabilities:vat:payable -£80 +``` + +### Settling VAT + +When VAT is payable, the business pays the tax authorities. + +Example: Paying the above £80 VAT payable. + +```hledger +2025-02-15 * VAT payment + liabilities:vat:payable £80 = £0 + assets:bank -£80 +``` + +If VAT was receivable, the business would receive a refund from the tax authorities instead. + +```hledger +2025-02-15 * VAT refund + assets:vat:receivable -£80 = £0 + assets:bank £80 +```