About Us
Getting your VAT right – that’s what we do
VAT can be complicated so our mission is to make it easy for our clients and make sure you get it right first time. In the long run paying the right tax at the right time saves you time and money so paying attention to VAT upfront is always the best plan. Or, as we say, ‘sooner is always better’.
Given that every deal or contract is unique, so is the way that VAT will apply. Whatever you do when dealing with UK VAT never assume the answer. The only way to get to the best VAT outcome is to find the right answer for you. That’s where we can help.
AVS VAT is an award-winning specialist VAT firm set-up in 1994 by our Managing Director, Melanie Lord, who is a Chartered Tax Advisor and former VAT inspector. We still have the same mission today which is to provide you with a proactive, professional and cost-effective service to handle anything to do with UK VAT. Quite simply we are VAT experts.
Over half of the work that we do is for clients based outside the UK, mainly acting as their UK VAT Agent, and we are proud to have been serving accountants, businesses and solicitors for over 30-years.
Transparency, Honesty, Customer Service
Our job is to form a view and give you the best advice, or in other words, ‘what this means for you’. We will never just recite the rules and leave you trying to work out what they mean. Transparency, honesty and outstanding customer service are our core values.
We know UK VAT inside out and will do a great job for you.
But… don’t just take our word for it, click here to see what our clients say about us.
Contact our experts today or call +44(0)1438 716 176 to discuss your VAT issues.
AVS VAT works for any business that needs help with UK VAT. We support businesses, accountants, trust administrators and solicitors based both in the UK and abroad.
Our clients include importers, UK and non-UK companies of all sizes, property developers, lawyers and accountants.
- Help in all areas of VAT including acting as your UK VAT Agent
- VAT advice of the highest quality offering a real alternative to the big firms.
- A collaborative approach to developing commercial VAT strategies – from planning to implementation.
- Reassurance that specialist VAT requirements are handled expertly and cost-effectively.
AVS VAT acts as UK VAT Agent for non-UK organisations that have be UK VAT registered. We even have our own bespoke MTD compliant system.
UK VAT registration could be needed if you:
- Import and sell goods in the UK.
- Own goods or property in the UK.
- Supply & install goods in the UK.
- Distance selling to UK customers.
- Digital services.
A UK VAT Agent needs to:
- Meet all UK VAT obligations.
- Deal with VAT Returns.
- Arrange on-line submissions.
- Liaise with HMRC; handle all queries, correspondence & inspections.
Key players in the AVS VAT Team
We work smart and agile with the support of consultants and manage all work under the close attention of our core team. This helps us able to remain cost-effective, thorough and accurate.
We can help you solve any kind of VAT issue by finding the best possible outcome for you and your business.
Excellent customer service is incredibly important to us – our professional team will take time to listen and work with you every step of the way.
Melanie Lord
Founder, Managing Director & VAT Specialist
Melanie loves a puzzle which makes her very good at unravelling VAT conundrums. She cuts through red tape and numbers to understand the real crux of VAT matters to find a commercial and workable solution. Melanie works with clients from across the world and from all business sectors and has specialist property and international VAT expertise. She’s a Chartered Tax Advisor and knows what clients really want – peace of mind and legal, low risk answers.
“Time with my sons, walking, throwing pots, gardening, good food – both cooking and eating, conversation and good wine with friends and, of course, shoes.” She dislikes: “Waste, injustice, bad customer service, instant coffee and pears.”
Melanie started her VAT career with HM Customs & Excise. She then managed the North East VAT practice for a Big Four firm prior to starting AVS VAT in 1994. She has over 30 years of VAT experience – and still loves her job!
VAT & indirect tax advice generally; Imports and issues facing non-UK clients; Support & VAT advice for commercial property lawyers, solicitors and accountants; Understanding issues, isolating VAT implications and finding commercial solutions; VAT & Property; Precious Metals; UK VAT registrations and Agency support for non-UK businesses.
Catherine Gearing
VAT Compliance Manager
Catherine is AAT & ATT qualified with ten years experience in VAT. She supports both UK and international clients with their UK VAT obligations, providing tailored advice and straightforward solutions to keep everything running smoothly. Known for being approachable and reliable, Catherine is committed to making VAT compliance less of a burden and more of a seamless part of doing business. She is resilient and determined and always gets to the end of even the messiest of job.
“Vegetables, whippets, crafting and mud.” She dislikes: “Marzipan and Monopoly.”
Catherine originally went to acting school before managing a landscaping business and later a bespoke picture framing business. An interest in Ayurvedic medicine took her to study in India learning all manner of skills as she went along. On her return she started to work as a bookkeeper and administrator until she had her VAT calling.
VAT & indirect tax advice including research for relevant case law, HMRC policy and practice.
Building trust and maintaining long-term client relationships.
Ensuring VAT filings and submissions are correct, timely, and compliant.
Streamlining compliance processes to save time and reduce errors.
Identifying issues and finding efficient solutions in complex compliance cases.
Call us now on +44 (0) 1438 716 176
Or by email to melanie.lord@avsvat.com for an introductory, no obligation discussion
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