Key facts
- Partial exemption applies if you make both taxable and exempt supplies.
- You can reclaim input VAT on taxable supplies but not on exempt supplies.
- The standard method uses a ratio of taxable to total supplies.
- A de minimis limit means you may reclaim all input VAT if exempt input is small enough.
How VAT Partial Exemption Affects Your Input Tax
If your business makes both taxable supplies (standard, reduced, or zero-rated) and exempt supplies, you are “partially exempt.” You can only reclaim input VAT that relates to your taxable supplies.[1]
Three Categories of Input VAT
| Category | Can You Reclaim? |
|---|---|
| Directly attributable to taxable supplies | Yes — fully reclaimable |
| Directly attributable to exempt supplies | No — not reclaimable |
| Non-attributable (overhead) | Partly — apportioned using your chosen method |
The Standard Method
The standard method calculates the proportion of non-attributable input VAT you can reclaim:[1]
Recoverable % = (Taxable supplies ÷ Total supplies) × 100
Round up to the nearest whole percentage.
Apply this percentage to your non-attributable input VAT to calculate the reclaimable amount.
The De Minimis Limit
Even if you’re partly exempt, you can reclaim all your input VAT if the exempt input VAT is:[1]
- £625 per month on average (or £7,500 per year), and
- No more than 50% of your total input VAT
Both conditions must be met. If they are, your exempt input VAT is treated as insignificant and fully reclaimable.
Annual Adjustment
Each quarter you make a provisional calculation. At your year-end (the end of your VAT year), you do an annual adjustment that recalculates the recoverable percentage for the whole year and corrects any over- or under-claims.[1]
Special Methods
If the standard method doesn’t give a fair result, you can apply to HMRC for a special method. Common alternatives include:
- Floor-space method (e.g. for property companies)
- Headcount method
- Transaction count method
HMRC must approve any special method before you use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is partial exemption for VAT?
Partial exemption applies when a business makes both taxable and exempt supplies. It means you can only reclaim the input VAT that relates to your taxable supplies, not the VAT on costs relating to exempt activities.
How is the partial exemption recovery rate calculated?
Under the standard method, the recoverable percentage is calculated as taxable supplies divided by total supplies, multiplied by 100 and rounded up. This percentage is applied to non-attributable (overhead) input VAT.
What is the de minimis limit for partial exemption?
If your exempt input VAT is no more than £625 per month on average and no more than 50% of your total input VAT, both conditions being met, it is treated as insignificant and you can reclaim all your input VAT.
What is the partial exemption annual adjustment?
Each quarter you make a provisional calculation. At the end of your VAT year, you do an annual adjustment that recalculates the recoverable percentage for the whole year and corrects any over- or under-claims.
Further Reading
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Sources
- Partial exemption (VAT Notice 706) — GOV.UK
- VAT guide (VAT Notice 700) — GOV.UK
- Input tax deduction — GOV.UK