Registration for farmers and agricultural services

Do farmers have to register for VAT?

If you engage solely in agricultural production activities, you are not obliged to register for Value-Added Tax (VAT).

However, you are obliged to register where:

• Your annual turnover from agricultural contracting activities other than insemination services, stock minding and stock rearing exceeds, or is likely to exceed, €40,000.
• Your annual turnover from sales of bovine semen, exceeds, or is likely to exceed, €80,000. Note: this turnover figure excludes sales to other farmers licensed as an Artificial Insemination centre or supplies to persons over whom you exercise control.
• Your annual turnover from retail sales of horticultural products exceeds, or is likely to exceed, €80,000.
• You are in receipt of services which are taxable where received.
• Your annual turnover from sales of bovine semen and retail sales of horticultural products exceeds, or is likely to exceed, €80,000.
• Your annual turnover from intra-Community acquisitions exceeds, or is likely to exceed, €41,000.
• Your annual turnover from taxable goods or services, other than any exclusions mentioned above exceeds, or is likely to exceed, the appropriate thresholds.

You may also elect to register for VAT.

Further guidance contains more detailed information on the VAT treatment of farmers.