Bad Invoice

If I issue an invoice and the customer nevers pays and I want to write it off, how do I account for this. Do I just delete the invoice with a note saying why it was cancelled or ... ? Obviously I shouldn't be paying tax on an invoice I never received money for ?

Reply to
sks
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You will fould up your vat records if it's in a vat quarter you have already closed.

Far safer to simply raise a credit note.

(this is more news:uk.business.accountancy btw)

Reply to
Adrian Boliston

Thanks for reply, will post there for further questions.

Reply to
sks

That would mean it never has to be paid. Write it off to the bad debts account and claim Bad Debt relief from C&E, if appropriate.

Reply to
Doug Ramage

If you post a credit note then that would surely credit your vat account anyway.

Reply to
Adrian Boliston

But the treatment of a Credit Note is not the same as Bad Debt Relief for VAT - e.g. 6 month period etc. Also, C&E would not be amused by this manoeuvre. :)

Reply to
Doug Ramage

I'm trying to figure out how C&E would actually loose out, as VAT is a tax on sales, and by raising a credit not you are reducing your sales.

I guess they would loose out if the debtor were also VAT registered and claimed back the vat on the invoice.

Reply to
Adrian Boliston

Why does a Credit Note not reduce sales? If it does not, why is the Vat due reduced?

Which he/she is entitled to do, unless Cash Accounting is being used.

Reply to
Doug Ramage

...but must repay it a) on invoices before 1/1/03 when you sent them the appropriate notification to comply with the bad debt relief rules or b) on invoice issued on or after 1/1/03 if they have not paid within six months

Reply to
Chris

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