VAT
Do Influencers Need to Register for VAT?
Written by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT · Chartered Accountant · Last reviewed 22 October 2026
| Registration threshold | £90,000, rolling 12 months |
|---|---|
| Standard rate | 20% |
| Register within | 30 days of the month you went over |
How it works
Check your turnover every month, looking back 12 months — not just at the tax year.
UK brand fees, UK affiliate commission and gifted items received for content all count. Fees from overseas business customers are usually outside scope.
Once registered, you add VAT to UK invoices and can reclaim VAT on business costs.
Voluntary registration and the Flat Rate Scheme
You can register before reaching the threshold. It can help if most customers are VAT-registered businesses or overseas, because you can reclaim VAT on kit.
The Flat Rate Scheme lets you pay a fixed percentage of turnover instead of calculating VAT on every cost. It can be simpler, but is not always cheaper for creators with low costs.
Brands registered for VAT can usually reclaim the VAT you charge, so registration rarely puts off business clients.
According to Waqas Sagar, Chartered Accountant at influencers.accountants, voluntary registration can help if most of your income is from overseas platforms and you buy expensive kit.
Example
Ruby's UK brand deals reach £90,000 over the 12 months to July. She must register by 30 August and charge VAT from 1 August.
Illustrative figures only, based on 2026/27 rules.
What you need to do
- Track rolling 12-month turnover monthly.
- Separate UK and overseas income.
- Use our VAT tracker.
- Register promptly if over.
Want us to handle this for you? Our Growth package covers VAT, brand-deal income, overseas payouts and Making Tax Digital. See also our VAT for influencers and our page for professional influencers.
Common mistakes
- 1Checking only at year end.
- 2Leaving out gifted items.
- 3Charging VAT to overseas brands.
From our client work: We often see creators pass the threshold mid-year without noticing.
Frequently asked questions
Related questions
Official sources
Not sure where you stand?
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This is general guidance for UK tax residents for the 2026/27 tax year, not personal advice. Speak to us about your situation.
