Your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code describes the main type of business activity your organisation carries out. Your SIC code can affect whether VAT is charged on the water charges shown on your bill.

There is no VAT charged on wastewater or trade effluent charges.

To ensure that you are paying the correct VAT charges on your business water bills, it is important that we have the correct SIC code for your business.

How do I update SIC code?

You can update your SIC code through the Customer Portal.

Log in to the  Customer Portal, go to Help and Support and select Submit a Request. Under the Additional Services, select the SIC Code Form and complete the required information.

We will apply your SIC code to your Castle Water account and use it to ensure we charge VAT correctly in your next bill. 

Why am I being charged VAT on my water bill?

If you do not inform Castle Water of your SIC code, whatever your business, we are obliged to charge VAT on your commercial water services by default.

Whether VAT should be charged depends on your business activity and the SIC code that applies to your organisation. Most industrial businesses are subject to VAT on their water charges, while most non-industrial businesses are not.

If you believe that VAT is being charged incorrectly, check that the SIC code we hold for your business is correct and update through the Customer Portal if needed.

Getting your SIC code right

If you are unsure what your SIC code is, you can find out more information about SIC codes and industrial divisions in our knowledge article.

If you have several sites, the SIC code for your largest business activity must be applied to all of your sites, including any domestic properties associated with your account.

You should not use a different SIC code based on the individual business activity carried out at each site.