Value Added Tax (VAT) is introduced by the Act No.14 of 2002 and is in force from 1st August, 2002. VAT Act replaced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which was almost similar tax on the consumption of goods and services.   It is a tax on domestic consumption of goods and services. The goods imported into Sri Lanka and goods and services supplied within the territorial limits of Sri Lanka are the subject mater of this tax. It is a multi stage tax levied on the incremental Value at every stage in the production and distribution chain of Goods and Services. The tax is borne by the final or the ultimate consumer of Goods or services. It is an indirect tax and the Government will receive at the end, through all the intermediary suppliers in the chain of production and distribution, an amount equal to the amount paid by the final consumer.   VAT is not charged on certain imports and on retail and wholesale supply of goods. There are certain supplies of goods and services, which is exempt from VAT.   Chargeability for Value Added Tax excluding chargeability on Financial Services ManufacturesImportersServices providersSuppliers who supply goods under tender agreementSuppliers whose supplies are more than Rs. 500 million per quarter ( including exempt and excluded supplies)Who are liable for Registration? Every person who carries on a taxable activityIf his taxable supply of goods or services or supply of goods and services,- has exceeded Rs.3, 000,000 per quarter, or- has exceeded 12,000,000 per annum, or - likely to exceed Rs.3,000,000 in the succeeding quarter or Rs 12 Million in the succeeding twelve months periodAny person or partnership liable to pay VAT for any quarter commencing on or after January 01, 2013, being a person or partnership engaged in the business of wholesale or retail trade, whose quarterly turnover/supplies exceeds Rs 500 Million (including exempt or excluded supplies)VAT Rates Zero Rate 0 %Standard Rate 12 % Registration for VAT Firstly, a TIN Certificate should be applied & obtained from the Tax Payer Services Unit at 1st Floor (South Wing) of the Inland Revenue Building, Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, and Colombo 02. Thereafter, VAT registration can be applied from the VAT Branch at 2nd floor (South Wing) of the Inland Revenue Building, Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 02. Application should be made through VAT Form 11, not later than fifteen days from the date on which became liable for registration. Documents required for registration TIN CertificateCertificate of Business RegistrationIn case of limited liability companyMemorandum & Articles of associationList of DirectorsCertificate of incorporationCopies of NIC of the proprietors/Directors of the businessParticulars of sales to prove the turnover & monthly Bank statements to prove cash receipts.Documents to prove that exports were made continuously by such exporters Responsibilities of a Registered person Display the Certificate of Registration at a clearly visible place in the business premises.Issue tax invoices (to other registered persons). keep accounts for relevant periods. Pay taxes and furnish returns on or before due dates.Inform the department any change in the following without delay.Name, Business Place, Ownership, Nature of business etc..   VAT Payments Any person or partnershipwho supplies services other than Finantial Serviceswho imports and supplies of goodswho engaged in the business of wholesale or retail sale, whose quarterly turnover/supply exceeds Rs 500 Million (including exempt or excluded supplies)is required to make the payment as follows.for the period 1stday ??15th day of a month - on or before end of the monthfor the period 16th day - end of a month - on or before 15th day of the following monthAny other Person or Partnership (other than those who referred in 1)who supplies goods manufactured by such Person or Partnershipwho engaged in supply of Financial Serviceis required to make the payment for the particular month on or before 20th day of the following month.Furnishing VAT Returns Due date : On or before the last day of the month after the expiry of each taxable period ( may be monthly or quarterly) Hand Over to : All VAT Returns should be handed over to the DPRA Unit, 7th Floor (North Wing) of Inland Revenue building, Other than, Returns for Special Projects and VAT on Financial Services Returns for Special Projects should be handed over to the Commissioner (VAT) on the 2nd floor of Inland Revenue building, Returns for VAT on Financial Services should be handed over to the Banking and Financial Services Unit, on the 4th floor of Inland Revenue building,