COS Archives - Berthold Bauer Consultants

HMRC update of COS Heading 65 – Training, tuition or education

by Berthold Bauer on October 7, 2022

On October 4^th 2022, HMRC published a full rewrite to clarify the extent of COS Heading 65 – Training, tuition or education, which can be found here.

VAT and the Public Sector: Reform to VAT Refund Rules

by Berthold Bauer on September 1, 2020

For a number of years HM Treasury have been considering potential reforms to the Contracted-Out-Services – numbered 1 through to 76 – which you will be familiar with from our reports. As a quick recap these rules [Section 41 VATA94] are the mechanism with which NHS and Government Departments (GD) reclaims VAT on certain outsourced services.

Updates to HMRC Guidance: COS 14 & COS 71

by Berthold Bauer on June 21, 2017

Whilst there does not appear to have been an official announcement by them, HMRC have helpfully updated the guidance on COS Heading 14 Computer Services and COS Heading 71 Welfare Services on the online manual late last week. Whilst Heading 71 hasn’t provided much in the way of difficulties over the years, Heading 14 has certainly been an area of uncertainty for many.

HFMA VAT Technical Sub-Committee Minutes

by Berthold Bauer on April 7, 2017

At a recent HFMA VAT Technical Sub-committee meeting, the issue of whether or not VAT can be claimed on an invoice that was previously unpaid for a period greater than six months was discussed.

COS Heading 52 – HMRC Webinar

by Berthold Bauer on March 1, 2017

Heading 52 professional services has always been a tricky heading for many NHS Trusts to understand.

HMRC’s Latest Update to COS Guidance

by Berthold Bauer on March 23, 2016

HMRC have today released further clarification to be read in conjunction with the October 2015 ‘HMRC COS Guidance for government departments and NHS bodies (2nd tranche)’ document. There are not many surprises in this document, and below is a summary of the key points:

HFMA VAT Technical Sub-Committee Minutes – September 2015

by Berthold Bauer on December 8, 2015

HFMA have released minutes from their September VAT Technical Sub-Committee meeting. Please find below a summary of the key points.

Contracted Out Services Guidance

The minutes confirmed that the latest HMRC guidance was released on 12 October 2015, and HMRC stated in the meeting that telephony (including VOIP) is not included within Heading 14: Computer Services.

Application of the recent COS Guidance

by Berthold Bauer on October 28, 2015

As you may be aware – earlier this month HMRC released the final tranche of COS headings (though more guidance is expected to be released on Heading 52 at a later date). Unfortunately, it was not immediately explicit as to the period for which this guidance applies.