Vat - what is a good enough record

[Dee1]

Hi,
I know, the question really annoys the Vat man but let's be real. In this current day and age, where most of my supplier invoice me electronically, I just can't afford the time to try to tie in every payment I make to an invoice. To explain the context, I'm doing my Vat on cash basis and I pay my supplier on statement basis, so sometimes on account and sometimes several invoices at once. Frequently my payments are standing orders to pay off a proportion of the bill, clearing the credit account sufficiently to allow me to buy a bit more stock. I'm a small business, been up and running for about 18 months and I haven't got an accountant yet (basically, I can't afford one yet).

So, my question is, can I just keep the wodd of the invoices and statements and do my Vat return (quarterly) on cash basis (from my bank statement as no cash expenditure at all) and is this enough for a Vat man to go on? In my line of business there are no zero rated or exempt supplies and I am careful no to claim Vat on supplies coming from not Vat registered businesses.
Many thanks for your advice,

[pawncob]

If you're registered for cash accounting, you claim on amounts paid. Invoices are only relevant where they support the claim, but in the long term, invoices and amounts paid should be equal (when adjusted for creditors)

[RAL]

I am careful no to claim Vat on supplies coming from not Vat registered businesses.
Many thanks for your advice,

Also you can not claim vat on payment on accounts until you receive the invoice/s.