VATREG21550 - Voluntary registration: intending traders: what is an intending trader?

An intending trader is a person who, on the date of the registration request:

• is carrying on a business
• has not started making taxable supplies
• has an intention to make taxable supplies in the future.

Intending traders normally seek registration from a current date in order to reclaim input tax incurred in the setting up and development of their business. In some cases, the amounts involved may be substantial and cover a long period of time.

This section explains the criteria that must be satisfied before a trader may be accepted as an intending trader, and sets out the procedures for processing an intending trader application.