VAT recovery for UK limited companies
Overpaid VAT is your money sitting with HMRC
Most VAT overpayments go unnoticed for years, quietly draining working capital from an otherwise well-run business. We re-examine four years of returns, quantify what was overpaid and recover it. Average recovery £20,000–£40,000, up to £100,000. Fees are payable only on sums recovered.
- £20k–£40k
- Average sum recovered
- up to £100k
- Recovered on larger reviews
- 4 years
- Of returns re-examined
- Contingent fee
- Payable only on recovery
“£38,400 returned to the business. Four years of import VAT we had always treated as correct.”
Finance Director, logistics group — Manchester
A technical review finds what routine compliance misses
VAT returns are filed correctly against the treatment already in place. The problem is that the treatment itself is rarely tested. Import VAT, partial exemption, CIS deductions, reduced-rate supplies and export documentation are set once and then run unchanged — often for years.
Our review looks at the last four years of returns, identifies where VAT was overpaid, and prepares a supported claim for HMRC. Most businesses receive an indicative figure within one working day of submitting the enquiry form.
Speak to the recovery team directly
020 3987 4410 — Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm
The overpayment is rarely visible from the returns
VAT is the most commonly overpaid tax in the UK. Returns are filed accurately, yet the underlying treatment of import VAT, partial exemption, subcontractor supplies and reduced-rate categories is set once and seldom revisited. Every quarter that passes locks more capital away — and the four-year recovery window closes on the oldest period each time you file.
Where two or more of the following apply, a technical review is warranted.
- UK limited company, VAT registered for 12 months or more
- Annual turnover above £85,000
- Imports, subcontractors or significant supplier spend since 2021
- Partial exemption, CIS, hospitality, transport, property or export activity
- VAT treatment set once and applied unchanged since
- No independent VAT review carried out to date
From assessment to funds returned
Step 1
Initial assessment
Provide your company and VAT position. No documents required at this stage.
Step 2
Technical review
Former HMRC officers examine up to four years of returns and quantify the overpayment.
Step 3
Claim submission
We prepare the claim to HMRC's evidence standard and manage all correspondence.
Step 4
Funds returned
HMRC pays the refund into your company account. Our fee applies only to sums recovered.
Questions we are asked
Fees payable only on recovery
Every quarter you wait, a recoverable period expires
The four-year limit is absolute: VAT overpaid outside that window cannot be reclaimed. One conversation establishes whether your business has funds to recover. If it does not, we say so and there is nothing to pay.
Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm · Speak directly to a VAT recovery specialist
Legal disclaimer
VAT Recovery Ltd is not a firm of solicitors, accountants or tax advisers. The information and services provided on this website do not constitute legal, financial, accounting or tax advice. Before acting on any information here, you should take your own professional advice.
We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our VAT recovery services do not constitute regulated financial advice or a regulated claims management activity.
VAT recovery claims are submitted to HMRC under the limited company's authority and in the company's own name. We act as a claims agent to prepare and submit the claim, unless we have expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
Any claim values, average figures, maximum recovery amounts or indicative estimates stated on this website are based on past experience and are not a guarantee that any specific amount will be recovered for your company. HMRC may accept, reject or adjust any claim in its sole discretion, and the final decision on any claim rests entirely with HMRC.
We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to HM Revenue & Customs. Any reference to HMRC is for informational purposes only.
The company director or authorised officer remains responsible for ensuring that all information supplied to us is accurate and complete, and that any claim complies with current VAT legislation, HMRC guidance and time limits.
Our “no win, no fee” arrangement means no success fee is payable unless and until HMRC pays a refund to the company. Fees, timing, exclusions and all other terms are set out in our engagement letter, which must be signed before any claim is submitted.
Personal data you provide is used only to assess and progress your VAT recovery enquiry, and is processed in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection law. We do not sell your details to third parties.
To the extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on information contained on this website or from the use of any HMRC form or guidance.