VPOA1200 | Introduction to the payments on account (POA) regime: Basics of the POA regime

The existing POA Order came into force on 2 September 1993.

All VAT-registered businesses with a VAT liability of £2.3 million or more in a period of 12 months or less, are required to make interim payments at the end of the second and third months of each VAT quarter in advance of their quarterly VAT returns. These are payments on account of the quarterly VAT liability. A balancing payment for the quarter, that is the quarterly liability less the payments on account made, is then made with the VAT return. The payments on account and balancing payment must be made electronically and funds must clear to Revenue & Customs’ bank account by close of business on the due date.

Before June 2011 a threshold of £2 million applied. The threshold was increased to ensure that businesses did not become liable to the POA regime simply as a consequence of the increase in the standard rate of VAT.