How is output VAT calculated in the Flat Rate Scheme?

In the Flat Rate Scheme, output VAT is calculated based on the total sales made by the business, and it is important to consider the context of how businesses account for VAT under this scheme. Specifically, the output VAT payable is derived from the total sales figure that is inclusive of VAT. This means that the VAT that has already been incorporated into the selling price of goods or services is taken into account.

Using the sales figure inclusive of VAT allows businesses operating under this scheme to have a simplified method of calculating their VAT obligations without needing to separately calculate the output VAT component.

For comparison, while calculating VAT based on sales exclusive of VAT would omit the VAT already included in prices, and the other options do not reflect the method required under the Flat Rate Scheme. Sales minus input VAT would inaccurately suggest that a determination of output VAT requires calculating input VAT, which is not relevant under this scheme. Using sales multiplied by the standard VAT rate would imply treating the sales as a standard VAT entity rather than effectively utilizing the flat rate calculations designated for this specific scheme.