What benefit does a registered business gain regarding VAT on its sales?

A registered business gains the ability to charge and collect VAT from customers as a benefit of being VAT registered. This means that when a registered business sells goods or services, it adds VAT to the selling price and can collect this VAT on behalf of the government. The registered business then has the obligation to remit the collected VAT to the tax authorities, usually on a quarterly or annual basis.

This mechanism not only allows the business to comply with tax regulations, but it also positions them to recover VAT on their own purchases, which can aid in cash flow management. The ability to charge VAT can also lend credibility to the business, as it signals that they meet certain standards and are operating within the framework of tax regulations.

In contrast, businesses that are not registered for VAT cannot charge VAT on their sales, which could make their pricing less competitive. They would also miss out on the ability to reclaim VAT paid on their expenses, leading to a potential increase in their overall costs. Therefore, VAT registration provides significant advantages for a registered business in the process of charging and collecting VAT.