/ Ecommerce
Do I need to register for VAT selling online in the UK?
Once taxable turnover passes the VAT threshold in a rolling 12 months, yes. Below it, registration is optional and sometimes beneficial.
/ 01
The short version
This is a question for your accountant, but here's the shape of it so you know what to ask.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • The threshold is a rolling 12-month figure, not a tax year.
- • Voluntary registration lets you reclaim input VAT — often good for B2B.
- • For B2C it effectively raises your prices or cuts your margin.
- • Selling to the EU has its own rules post-Brexit — check IOSS.
- • Your platform must display VAT-inclusive prices to UK consumers.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Registering voluntarily is often right for B2B sellers and often wrong for B2C ones with thin margins. It depends on who your customers are.
/ 04
What to do next
Check your rolling 12-month turnover today and speak to your accountant if you're within 20% of the threshold.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get ecommerce admin right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Does my site have to show prices with VAT?
For consumers, yes.
What about selling to the EU?
Different rules — take advice before you scale it.
/ Related
Shopify vs WooCommerce — which is better for my UK store?
Ecommerce
What's a good ecommerce conversion rate?
Ecommerce
How much does an ecommerce website cost in the UK?
Ecommerce
Shopify or WooCommerce for a UK small business?
Ecommerce
How do I take payments on my website in the UK?
Ecommerce
Why is my online shop getting traffic but no sales?
Ecommerce
Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
Book a call →