It is HMRC’s target decide within ten days at least 70% of applications for VAT registration. Average performance for the period from April 2010 to January 2011 was 65%, according to a House of Commons written reply (Hansard, 9 March 2011, vol 524, no 129, col 1172W).
However, monthly performance from August 2010 onwards were ahead of target, with December and January reaching 77.2% and 79.9% respectively.
The Revenue recognises that applications selected for in-depth checks are currently taking longer to carry out than they should; the department is looking at how to improve the situation.
A business that experiences problems because of a delay in completing checks on its application, should contact the registration team in Cardiff on 02920 325001.
