Value Added Tax Act 1994, section 24

Input tax and output tax

Part I The charge to tax

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, “input tax”, in relation to a taxable person, means the following tax, that is to say—

(a)VAT on the supply to him of any goods or services;

(b)F170...; and

(c)F171VAT paid or payable by him on the importation of any goods ...,

being (in each case) goods or services used or to be used for the purpose of any business carried on or to be carried on by him.

(2) F172 Subject to the following provisions of this section, “output tax”, in relation to a taxable person, means VAT on supplies which he makes ....

F173(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)The Treasury may by order provide with respect to any description of goods or services that, where goods or services of that description are supplied to a person who is not a taxable person, they shall, in such circumstances as may be specified in the order, be treated for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above as supplied to such other person as may be determined in accordance with the order.

(5)F174,F175Where goods or services supplied to a taxable person... or goods imported by a taxable person ... are used or to be used partly for the purposes of a business carried on or to be carried on by him and partly for other purposes [F176—

(a)VAT on suppliesF177... and importations shall be apportioned so that so much as is referable to the taxable person's business purposes is counted as that person's input tax, and

(b) the remainder of that VAT (“the non-business VAT”) shall count as that person's input tax only to the extent (if any) provided for by regulations under subsection (6)(e). F176]

[F178 (5A)For the purposes of subsections (1) and (5), a relevant asset held for the purposes of a business carried on or to be carried on by a taxable person is not, in any circumstances, to be regarded as used or to be used for the purposes of the business if, and to the extent that, it is used or to be used for that person's private use or the private use of that person's staff.

(5B) In subsection (5A) “relevant asset” means—

(a)any interest in land,

(b)any building or part of a building,

(c)any civil engineering work or part of such a work,

(d)any goods incorporated or to be incorporated in a building or civil engineering work (whether by being installed as fixtures or fittings or otherwise),

(e)any ship, boat or other vessel, or

(f)any aircraft.F178]

(6)Regulations may provide—

(a)F179,F180for VAT on the supply of goods or services to a taxable person... and VAT paid or payable by a taxable person on the importation of goods ... to be treated as his input tax only if and to the extent that the charge to VAT is evidenced and quantified by reference to such documents[F181 or other informationF181] as may be specified in the regulations or the Commissioners may direct either generally or in particular cases or classes of cases;

(b)F182,F183,F184for a taxable person to count as his input tax, in such circumstances, to such extent and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, VAT on the supply to him of goods or services ... or paid by him on the importation of goods ... notwithstanding that he was not a taxable person at the time of the supply... or payment;

(c)F185for a taxable person that is a body corporate to count as its input tax, in such circumstances, to such extent and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, VAT on the supply... or importation of goods before the company’s incorporation for appropriation to the company or its business or on the supply of services before that time for its benefit or in connection with its incorporation;

(d)in the case of a person who has been, but is no longer, a taxable person, for him to be paid by the Commissioners the amount of any VAT on a supply of services made to him for the purposes of the business carried on by him when he was a taxable person.

[F186 (e)in cases where an apportionment is made under subsection (5), for the dfnnon-business VAT to be counted as the taxable person's input tax for the purposes of any provision made by or under section 26 in such circumstances, to such extent and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.F186]

[F187 (6A)Regulations under subsection (6) may contain such supplementary, incidental, consequential and transitional provisions as appear to the Commissioners to be necessary or expedient.F187]

F188(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Definitions used in section 24 13

taxable person

“taxable person” means a person who is a taxable person under section 3;

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
tax

“tax” means VAT;

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
VAT

“VAT” means value added tax charged in accordance with this Act;

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
business

(1) In this Act “business” includes any trade, profession or vocation.

Defined in s.94(1) · see it in the full Act
supplied

(3) In sub-paragraph (2), “supplied” is to be construed in accordance with Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1989 (see section 64(1) of that Act ).

Defined in Sch.7A para.A1 · see it in the full Act

(3) In sub-paragraph (2), “supplied” is to be construed in accordance with Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1989 (see section 64(1) of that Act ).

Defined in Sch.8 para.3 · see it in the full Act
input tax

“input tax” has the meaning given by section 24;

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
regulations

“regulations” means regulations made by the Commissioners under this Act;

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
building

(7) Sub-paragraphs (4) to (7) of paragraph 18 (meaning of “building”) apply for the purposes of this paragraph.

Defined in Sch.10 para.15A(7) · see it in the full Act

(5) Sub-paragraphs (4) to (6) of paragraph 18 (meaning of “building”) apply for the purposes of this paragraph as they apply for the purposes of that paragraph.

Defined in Sch.10 para.27(5) · see it in the full Act
ship

“ship” includes hovercraft;

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
document

“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded; and

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
the Commissioners

“the Commissioners” means the Commissioners of Customs and Excise;

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
prescribed

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations:

Defined in s.96(1) · see it in the full Act
company

(2B) In sub-paragraph (2A) “company” and “control” have the same meaning as in section 839 of the Taxes Act.

Defined in Sch.10 para.34(2B) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 24 44

Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs v NHS Lothian Health Board (Scotland)

[2022] UKSC 28 · 19 October 2022Interprets

The section defines input tax by reference to goods or services used for a taxable person’s business and provides the domestic basis for business and non-business apportionment (see paras [12]-[13]). VAT on supplies used partly for business and partly for other purposes must be apportioned so that only the business-referable amount counts as input tax, subject to regulations (see paras [13]; [65]). The provision authorises requirements that the charge to VAT be evidenced and quantified by specified documents or other directed information. It allowed HMRC to accept suitable alternative evidence where invoices were unavailable (see paras [18]; [63]-[65]).

Airtours Holidays Transport Limited v Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

[2016] UKSC 21 · 11 May 2016

Defines input tax as VAT on goods or services supplied to a taxable person and used or to be used for that person’s business. The services were not supplied to the payer in this case. (see paras [18]-[19]; [50]-[51]) Cited as one of the domestic provisions reflecting the Directive right to deduct input tax. (see para [16])

FS Commercial Limited v The Commissioners for HMRC

[2026] EWCA Civ 29 · 27 January 2026Interprets

The provision is used to show that regulations may condition the treatment of VAT as input tax on specified documentary or other evidence (see para [54]).

24 more judgments, and what each says about section 24, are in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

19 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F170S. 24(1)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(2)(a) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  2. F171Words in s. 24(1)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(2)(b) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  3. F172Words in s. 24(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(3) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  4. F173S. 24(3) omitted (with application in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 1(8)(9) of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 8 para. 1(2)(8)
  5. F174Words in s. 24(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(4)(a)(i) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  6. F175Words in s. 24(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(4)(a)(ii) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  7. F176Words in s. 24(5) substituted (16.12.2010) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 8 para. 1(3)
  8. F177Words in s. 24(5)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(4)(b) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  9. F178S. 24(5A)(5B) inserted (with application in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 1(8)(9) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 8 para. 1(4)(8)
  10. F179Words in s. 24(6)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(5)(a)(i) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  11. F180Words in s. 24(6)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(5)(a)(ii) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  12. F181Words in s. 24(6)(a) inserted (retrospective to 10.4.2003) by Finance Act 2003 (c. 14), s. 17(2)(8)
  13. F182Words in s. 24(6)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(5)(b)(i) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  14. F183Words in s. 24(6)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(5)(b)(ii) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  15. F184Word in s. 24(6)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(5)(b)(iii) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  16. F185Word in s. 24(6)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(3), Sch. 8 para. 24(6)(c) (with Sch. 8 para. 99) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2019/105 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1495, regs. 1(2), 21), S.I. 2020/1545, Pt. 4 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(b) (with reg. 7) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  17. F186S. 24(6)(e) inserted (16.12.2010) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 8 para. 1(5)
  18. F187S. 24(6A) inserted (16.12.2010) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 8 para. 1(6)
  19. F188S. 24(7) omitted (with application in accordance with Sch. 8 para. 1(8)(9) of the amending Act) by virtue of Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 8 para. 1(7)(8)