Why You Should Consider Legacy Accountings for VAT Compliance

Vat Compliance
Vat Compliance

Why You Should Consider Legacy Accountings for VAT Compliance

  1. Specialised VAT Expertise
    • On its website, Legacy explicitly lists VAT Compliance as one of its core services. legacyaccountings.co.uk
    • They describe having VAT experts who handle not just filings but planning — this means they don’t just do returns, they help you make tax-efficient VAT decisions. legacyaccountings.co.uk
    • Good VAT planning helps you minimise cash flow shocks (e.g., by optimising the timing of VAT payments/recoveries) and avoid HMRC penalties.
  2. Integrated Accounting & Software Support
    • Legacy provides accounting software implementation (such as Xero) to make bookkeeping and VAT-return preparation smoother. legacyaccounting.co.uk
    • With the right software in place, you can ensure your VAT records are well-organised, digital (which is essential under Making Tax Digital (MTD)), and ready for HMRC submissions.
    • This integration reduces manual errors, helps you stay compliant, and gives transparency on your VAT position in real time.
  3. Transparent & Competitive Pricing
    • Their pricing model is clearly published, and their “Growth” package (which includes VAT returns) is well defined. legacyaccounting.co.uk
    • Transparent pricing helps you budget for VAT-compliance costs and avoid surprise accounting fees.
  4. Commercial / Advisory Approach
    • Legacy describes itself as “commercially-minded” — not just compliance-focused. legacyaccountings.co.uk
    • This means they’re more likely to proactively advise on VAT-efficient structures (e.g., which VAT scheme to use, when to register / deregister, how to handle partial exemption) rather than simply filling out your VAT return.
  5. Bookkeeping Strength
    • Legacy’s bookkeeping team handles invoice recording, VAT-related entries, and reconciliations. legacyaccountings.co.uk
    • Accurate bookkeeping is critical for VAT compliance: if your input VAT, output VAT, and receipts are not correctly recorded, your returns will be risky or incorrect.
  6. Statutory & Compliance Services Beyond VAT
    • Beyond VAT, Legacy also offers audit, tax, secretarial, and payroll services. legacyaccountings.co.uk
    • This means you can have a single trusted advisor for multiple compliance needs, which simplifies coordination and ensures consistency (especially for VAT + company filings).
  7. Proactive Support & Risk Management
    • By handling both planning and execution, they can help you avoid common VAT pitfalls (late filing, under-claiming input VAT, misuse of schemes).
    • Their proactive advice could save you money in penalties and improve your cash flow management.
  8. Free Consultation
    • They offer a free call-back / consultation via their website. legacyaccountings.co.uk
    • You can use this to ask specifically about their VAT expertise, get a feel for their approach, and assess whether they’re a good fit for your VAT compliance needs.

Risks / Things to Watch Out For

  • Relatively New Company: Legacy Accountings Services Ltd appears to be quite new — company number 16083770, incorporated in November 2024. Companies In The UK
    • This means they might have a shorter track record, especially for complex VAT compliance or advisory work. Ask for client references or case studies.
  • Scope of VAT Advice: While they offer VAT compliance, it’s not entirely clear how deep their VAT advisory is (e.g., cross-border VAT, complex schemes).
    • During your consultation, clarify: do they handle VAT scheme optimisation (flat rate, cash accounting, partial exemption)?
  • Geographical Coverage: Their registered address is in Croydon. Companies In The UK
    • If you’re far away, check how they service remote clients (calls, software, virtual meetings).
  • Pricing for Complexity: The published “Growth” package covers VAT returns, but very complex VAT work (e.g., international VAT, MTD audits, large volumes) might need bespoke pricing. Confirm fees for advanced/compliance-heavy VAT work.
  • Making Tax Digital (MTD) Risks: Even with software, MTD compliance has strict rules. Make sure they fully understand and support MTD requirements.

Conclusion

Summary: Legacy Accountings could be a very strong choice for VAT compliance because they offer:

  • specialist VAT expertise,
  • integrated software + bookkeeping,
  • transparent pricing, and
  • a commercially savvy / advisory mindset.

Next Steps:

  1. Book their free consultation to talk specifically about VAT.
  2. Ask for VAT-specific references or case studies, especially for businesses similar to yours.
  3. Clarify exactly what VAT work they will handle (returns only vs. planning / advice).
  4. Compare their services with other VAT-specialist accountants (especially if you have complex VAT needs)