Originally Posted by jammydonut
you can only do this if you have a turnover of at least £65,000.00
Nope! You can voluntarily register for VAT no matter what your turnover. However, you MUST register if your turnover is over the threshold.
Portsharbourflyer, it depends what you mean by initial training. If you follow the modular route, then it's unlikely the PPL element would be allowable for VAT; however, IF self-employed/freelance status is the plan, then VAT could be reclaimed on the CPL element. This is reasonably common in the rotary world since many helicopter pilots are self-employed. It may not be so common in the fixed wing world. If one registered for VAT with the business plan of being freelance and then became an employee once qualified, then you would be liable to pay back the VAT reclaimed.
You don't have to be a limited company to become self-employed.
What cannot be claimed is the cost of training against income tax.
As everyone's circumstances are different, I would recommend that anyone thinking of doing this goes to a Chartered or Certified Accountant for advice; preferably one who has experience of the aviation industry.
Cheers
Whirls