Why the VAT threshold is not based on the tax year
Income Tax and Corporation Tax often make people think in fixed years. VAT registration is different: the threshold can matter during the year because the check looks at a rolling 12-month period.
The common mistake
Many freelancers only review income when preparing accounts or a tax return. That can be too late for VAT threshold awareness, because the relevant period moves forward month by month rather than resetting at the start of a tax year.
A quiet tax year can still contain a high rolling 12-month period if income is clustered across two accounting periods or a large project lands near a year boundary.
What to check instead
Use a simple monthly habit: look back over the latest 12 months and review the income that may count towards VAT registration. If the number is getting close to the threshold, review the transactions and check official guidance before waiting for year end.
Check the latest rolling period
The feltPro VAT checker uses a bank spreadsheet export to create a rolling 12-month bank-income estimate. You can then exclude transfers, refunds, loans, personal payments, or exempt income before reviewing the result.
Check VAT threshold riskKeep the result in context
Bank income is not the same as VAT taxable turnover. Treat a spreadsheet check as an early warning, not a final registration decision. If the estimate is close to or above the threshold, check GOV.UK guidance or speak to an accountant.