VAT: when you charge it
A plain-English look at when freelancers add VAT, with UK guidance first and a note for everyone else.
We can show you how HelloNoa works, but we're not your accountant or solicitor.
This is general guidance, not tax or legal advice. For your situation, check with a qualified accountant or the tax authority where you are based.
VAT trips a lot of freelancers up. Here is the short version of how it works and how HelloNoa handles it.
In the UK
In the UK you only need to register for VAT once your taxable turnover passes the registration threshold (currently £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period). Below that, registering is optional. If you are not registered, you do not add VAT to your invoices, you simply leave it off.
If you are registered, you add VAT at the appropriate rate, and your VAT number appears on your invoices. HelloNoa works out the VAT line and totals for you.
International users
This differs from country to country. Thresholds, rates, and the rules for cross-border work vary widely, so check the guidance where you are based and where your client is based.
Either way, you can set whether VAT applies in your invoice settings, and "VAT not applicable" is the right choice if you are not registered.
Common questions
What if I'm not VAT registered?
Then you don't add VAT to your invoices. You can simply leave VAT off, and your totals will show the amount due with no VAT line.
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