How to Use the VAT Registration Threshold Tracker

This free UK tool shows how close your taxable turnover is to the official HMRC VAT registration threshold of £90,000 (or the £88,000 deregistration threshold if you are already registered). Enter your figures and instantly see remaining headroom, estimated months until you must register, a progress bar, interactive projection chart and month-by-month path.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose Input Mode

Simple mode: Enter your taxable turnover for the current financial year to date and your typical (or expected) monthly taxable turnover going forward. Ideal for a quick “how much more do I need?” check.
Advanced mode: Enter the actual taxable turnover for each of the past 12 months. The tool calculates the true rolling 12-month total and, when projecting forward, correctly drops the oldest month out of the window each time a new month is added (exactly how HMRC’s rolling test works).

2. Optional Settings

Tick “I am already VAT registered” if you want to track the deregistration threshold (£88,000) instead of the registration threshold.
Optionally enter expected taxable turnover in the next 30 days. If this alone would exceed the threshold you have an immediate registration obligation.

3. Read the Results

Remaining Headroom: How much more taxable turnover you can generate before hitting the limit.
% of Threshold Used: Your current position as a percentage of the relevant threshold.
Est. Months Until Threshold: Approximate time to the limit at your stated monthly rate (assuming constant turnover and no seasonal variation).
Progress bar & chart: Visual projection of cumulative turnover toward the threshold line.

Key UK VAT Rules (Summary)

You must register if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or if you expect it to exceed £90,000 in the next 30 days alone.
You must notify HMRC within 30 days of the end of the month in which you exceeded the threshold.
Taxable turnover generally includes standard-rated, reduced-rated and zero-rated supplies. Exempt and outside-the-scope supplies are excluded.
Voluntary registration is possible below the threshold and may be beneficial in some cases (e.g. reclaiming input VAT).
The deregistration threshold is currently £88,000.

Common Scenarios & Examples

Scenario: Growing Freelancer

Goal: Check how much room is left before compulsory VAT registration.

Select Simple mode.
Enter last-12-month taxable turnover of £62,000.
Set average monthly turnover to £5,500.
Leave next-30-days at £0 (or enter a known large invoice).

Sample result:

Remaining headroom ≈ £28,000 | ≈ 5.1 months at current rate | Status: Caution

Scenario: Seasonal Business (Advanced)

Goal: Use actual monthly figures for a more accurate rolling total and projection.

Switch to Advanced mode.
Enter the last 12 months of taxable sales (quiet winter months + busy summer).
Set expected monthly going forward to a realistic average.

Tip: Because the projection uses a true rolling window, a large month that is about to drop out of the 12-month period will reduce the rolling total even while you continue to earn the projected monthly amount. This is the behaviour HMRC uses.

Disclaimer & Limitations

Not Professional Advice: This calculator is an estimation and educational tool only. It does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Always verify the current thresholds and your exact position with HMRC or a qualified accountant. Thresholds and rules can change.

Official Source: Check the latest guidance on GOV.UK – When to register for VAT and VAT Notice 700/1.

Assumptions: Projections assume a constant monthly taxable turnover rate and do not automatically adjust for seasonality, refunds, or changes in the nature of supplies. The “next 30 days” check is a simple total comparison only.

Bug Reports and Suggested Improvements

Please email all suggestions for improvements and any bug reports to: vatthresholdtracker@personalfinances.me, thank you.

VAT Registration Threshold Tracker (UK Specific)

📋 Your Turnover Details

📊 Threshold Status

📅 Projected Path to Threshold