HMRC has launched new VAT road fuel scale charges for petrol and diesel drivers in the UK, effective from 1 May 2026 and lasting until 30 April 2027. The charges vary by CO₂ emissions band, ranging from £657 for low‑emission vehicles to £2,297 for high‑emission ones over a 12‑month period. Drivers can account for the charges annually, quarterly or monthly and must calculate the applicable rate for each period.
The VATfaqs digest
Global VAT news, delivered Tuesday and Thursday. Free, curated from 50+ official sources, no spam.
No spam · Unsubscribe any time
The Independent · about 6 hours ago
The UK government will remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October 2026, cutting the rate from 5% to 0%. The change is expected to save households around £45 a year and will be funded by cancelling the Digital ID programme.
The Independent · about 8 hours ago
In the UK, the government announced an £850 million tax cut on energy bills, making electricity bills VAT free from 1 October 2026 in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland remains exempt because EU VAT rates apply under the Windsor Framework, preventing the cut from applying there.
BBC · about 13 hours ago
UK VAT will be cut from household electricity bills from 1 October, reducing the rate from 5% to zero and saving households about £45 a year. The cut is funded by savings from scrapping the digital ID programme and will apply to England, Scotland and Wales, with equivalent funding for Northern Ireland.
The Independent · about 13 hours ago
UK households will see 5% VAT removed from electricity bills from 1 October 2026, a move announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The change is expected to save about £45 on a typical annual bill, though a projected 3.1% rise in the price cap may offset the benefit.
Yahoo News Canada · about 17 hours ago
The United Kingdom will see VAT on household electricity removed from 5% to 0% on 1 October, saving typical homes around £45 a year.
Law360 · about 17 hours ago
UK court rules that Staffing Co cannot recover input VAT because its director knew or should have known its supply chain was compromised by fraud. The decision underscores the importance of due diligence in supply chain management for VAT recovery.
Put your brand alongside trusted tax-tech intelligence across 150+ countries.
Key Takeaways
£657 for a 12‑month period, £163 for a 3‑month period, and £54 for a 1‑month period, effective from 1 May 2026.
They remain in effect until 30 April 2027.
The CO₂ band is assigned based on engine size: ≤1400cc falls under the 140g/km band, 1401‑2000cc under 175g/km, and >2000cc under the 225g/km or more band.
£2,297 for a 12‑month period, £574 for a 3‑month period, and £190 for a 1‑month period, effective from 1 May 2026.
Primary source
Read the full article at GeoThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 2 May 2026. It relates to VAT developments in United Kingdom. The original source is Geo.