Dubai-based Businessmentals, an e-commerce venture that provides professional support and business know-how to small business owners through simple but effective templates and step-by-step business processes, has launched the first in a series of mobile applications.

The Businessmentals Value Added Tax (VAT) calculator App is now available for Android devices and allows consumers to instantly calculate the VAT on the purchases of goods and services, said a statement from the company.

The app will be available on iOS by November, it added.

In something of a first, users can verify the Tax Registration Number (TRN) of the seller to make sure they are registered with the tax authority, it said.

With an easy-to-use interface, the app has different sections for seamless navigation.  As well as instantly calculating VAT, the app provides access to VAT blogs and white papers written by industry experts, breaking news and handy tips on how to deal with burning issues like tax dodgers. 

It also provides great infographics and “how to videos” plus a simple way to verify TRNs. The app really is a one-stop shop that collates news, essential VAT information and tools.

The app was designed for anyone who goes shopping and pays VAT on his or her purchases.  It is also really useful for small business owners to calculate VAT on the run.

According to Steve Ashby, founder of Businessmentals, many people are paying too much VAT, or paying it to unregistered traders.

Ashby said: “Queuing at the shop, with 15 people behind you, is the last place to be testing your mental math skills. With our VAT calculator, the calculation is instant, accurate and highly visible.  We are offering a live, interactive knowledge base accessible anytime and anywhere.”

“The introduction of this app reflects the promise we made to provide our customers with tools for business and tools for life,” he added.

There are plans to launch more apps in the near future including a VAT payments register, which will help you keep track of your payments to VAT registered suppliers and a highly entertaining but very effective personal efficiency tool called ‘The Bad-Tempered Organiser’, it said.

In addition to a marketplace where clients can buy template bundles and process packs such as the Business Start-Up Checklist, the Business Plan, Quote to Cash and Get the Cash, the Businessmentals website has also been recently revamped to include several “community rooms”, a dedicated section for “how to” videos, an expert advice column and blogs written by industry experts, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service