Doubt about the VAT treatment of a transaction
What is an expression of doubt for Value-Added Tax (VAT) purposes?
You may lodge a letter of ‘expression of doubt’ with Revenue, relating to the application of VAT law to a transaction. This can include doubt regarding the rate of VAT to apply to a transaction.
Revenue will notify you if your 'expression of doubt' is accepted as genuine or not.
Revenue will then inform you of the correct application of the law regarding the matter about which you have expressed doubt. Following receipt of our reply, an additional liability may arise. You should pay any further liability in the taxable period during which you receive the notification.
In the circumstances set out above, no interest will be applied to the additional liability regarding the ‘expression of doubt’.
Can you appeal Revenue’s refusal to accept an expression of doubt?
If Revenue refuses to accept that the expression of doubt is genuine you may appeal to the Tax Appeal Commissioners.
Further guidance contains more detailed information on expression of doubt submissions.