EU VAT >:-(

Just think, I could be drawing pictures, or designing something, or otherwise being productive.

Instead I'm trying in vain to figure out why my EU sales VAT is not being recorded. I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm sure it was working before. I don't understand any of the instructions I read.

I know the point is to catch big multinational companies. But it's making it really awkward for small businesses (I mean one-person part time businesses). I know some people are just stopping selling to the EU altogether, to save the hassle. But a) I definitely don't want to do that and b) soon it will be most countries - that would be over half of my sales!

moan moan moan

Job description?

I was having to register for VAT (not, alas, because I have a business turnover of over £81,000, but because of the new EU regulations).

I had to select what kind of business I was from a list - you type in a word and it searches. 'Illustration' was not found, so I typed in 'art'. Here are some of the suggestions:

• Jerusalem artichoke growing
• Artificial insemination activities on a fee or contract basis
• Fuller's earth pit 
• Earth colours and fluorspar mining
• Quartz mining and quarrying
• Rennet (not artificial) (manufacture)
• Tarts (manufacture)
• Plant parts preserving in sugar (manufacture)
• Artificial honey (manufacture) 
• Parts of trousers for women and girls (manufacture)
• Garter (manufacture)
• Artificial fur and articles thereof (manufacture)  
• Loofah articles (manufacture) 
• Chain (not articulated transmission) (manufacture) 
• Smart cards (manufacture) 
• Pick-up arm and cartridge for record player (manufacture)

Well, it's nice when frustrating and tedious admin gives you a bit of a laugh. :-)