VAT registration taking longer
Registering for VAT is typically taking three to four months, according to research by accountants UHY Hacker Young.
It says the time has increased from two months last year and around two weeks a few years ago.
When fraud checks are carried out, it can take up to six months for businesses to register.
The report says firms waiting for VAT registration can face severe restrictions in their capacity to trade, causing cashflow problems and in some cases, causing businesses to fold.
