Re: [BCAB] VAT exemption on Tvonics set top box Barry Hill 06 Dec 2012 07:12 GMT
The IOS products seem to be an anomaly, but I can explain the rest. VAT exemption is only granted on goods that are specifically designed for disabled people. The Goodmans was one such product that was commissioned by the RNIB but the Tvonics was only built with collaboration from the RNIB and is also sold as a product that is not specifically for disabled people. I have a vague recollection of a sliding scale for VAT exemption whereby some products were 5% rated because they only fit the criteria in part. I would have thought that the IOS products, Panasonic and Tvonics would fall under this category. If anyone can enlighten me, I'd appreciate it. Cheers Barry -----Original Message----- From: Bcab [mailto:bcab-bounces@lists.bcab.org.uk] On Behalf Of Agent Orange Sent: 05 December 2012 9:22 PM To: robindavies18@yahoo.co.uk; 'BCAB Discussion List' Subject: [BCAB] VAT exemption on Tvonics set top box Robin, and other listers, This is very interesting. I can't help wondering why the distinction for VAT purposes between an iPhone on the one hand, and other voice over products such as an iPad on the other. Equally, I am baffled by the distinction between the Goodmans Smart Talk set top box which I understand is sold VAT free, and the Tvonics set top box on which VAT must be paid. I am particularly interested in this difference as I am considering buying a Tvonics box and I can't ascertain from RNIB - despite having asked - why VAT is payable on it given that it comprises a special adaptation for the use of visually impaired people. Can anyone shed any light on the answer? With thanks Phil -----Original Message----- From: Bcab [mailto:bcab-bounces@lists.bcab.org.uk] On Behalf Of R DAVIES Sent: 05 December 2012 16:56 To: 'BCAB Discussion List' Subject: Re: [BCAB] VAT exemption on VoiceOver products Hi I promised to update the list on this subject once I had visited the Apple store in Covent Garden, London and explored the possibility of VAT exemption for VO supported products. I had been informed that this store was the most familiar with VO support and serving blind and visually impaired customers. I visited them yesterday in order to purchase an I Pad and an I Phone, accompanied by my partner and my guide dog. The staff was wonderfully helpful and aware that VAT exemption applied for blind and visually impaired customers on all VO products with the exception of the I Phone. Why there was this difference was not made clear. We were taken to a quiet upstairs room so the VAT Exemption form could be completed and signed and no supporting documentation was requested. I did have my council registration card as a blind resident and proof of residence with me just in case. Mind you the 36 kilo guide dog on my wrist may have been proof enough! On discussing the lack of this benefit for the I Phone it was explained that the only way this could be done for this product was for Apple to take the hit as they would still have to pay the VAT even if it was waived for me. Only the store manager could agree to such a step. After discussing my RNIB and BCAB memberships and my awareness that the RNIB held regular training sessions at this Apple store together with my joint purchase of both an I Pad and an I Phone it was eventually agreed to waive the VAT for the I Phone as well, an excellent outcome. However, there was then an additional step where the purchase had to be dealt with differently through the payment system and not as a VAT Exemption process. This apparently lodged the reduction, equivalent to the VAT due, as a charge against the store sales income somehow. So it seems clear that VAT exemption does apply for all Apple VO supported products, apart from the I Phone, and can be asked for. However, obtaining a similar or equivalent reduction for a new I Phone depends on the willingness and attitude of the local manager rather than a formal procedure or agreement with Customs and Revenue. I hope this is of help to any listers considering new Apple purchases and able to get to the Covent Garden store or any other Apple store with an active VIP client base. Regards Robin -----Original Message----- From: Bcab [mailto:bcab-bounces@lists.bcab.org.uk] On Behalf of Vince Thacker Sent: 18 October 2012 12:56 To: BCAB Discussion List Subject: Re: [BCAB] VAT exemption on VoiceOver products Sounds as if the Apple Store had this very well sorted out. You can get VAT exemptions on all sorts of things, but the procedure can be a lot more cumbersome. The rules are spelt out here.... http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/disabled.htm Vince. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@btinternet.com> To: <access-uk@freelists.org>; "'BCAB Discussion List'" <bcab@lists.bcab.org.uk> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 9:50 AM Subject: [BCAB] VAT exemption on VoiceOver products > All, > > I had the opportunity of visiting the Apple store in Belfast yesterday. > While there, I discovered that people who are registered as blind, > deaf or deaf-blind are entitled to receive VAT exemption on VoiceOver products. > That is to say, the Mac range, iPad, iPhone, and iPod range. This > does not include any accessories. All you need to do is take some > kind of proof if your impairment is not obvious, and complete and sign > the VAT exemption form a store staff member will give you. You can > then purchase your VoiceOver product there and then. > > This information was offered to me without my even thinking about > asking as I had absolutely no idea Apple products come under VAT > exemption. > > I thought you might like to know. > > Kind Regards, > > Jackie Cairns > > > -- > To find out more about BCAB and the benefits that membership can > bring, please visit our website: > http://www.bcab.org.uk/ > > To manage your subscription to the BCAB mailing list, please visit our > website: > http://www.bcab.org.uk/bcab-discussion-list/ > > To discuss matters relating to the mailing list, please email > moderator@bcab.org.uk. -- To find out more about BCAB and the benefits that membership can bring, please visit our website: http://www.bcab.org.uk/ To manage your subscription to the BCAB mailing list, please visit our website: http://www.bcab.org.uk/bcab-discussion-list/ To discuss matters relating to the mailing list, please email moderator@bcab.org.uk. -- To find out more about BCAB and the benefits that membership can bring, please visit our website: http://www.bcab.org.uk/ To manage your subscription to the BCAB mailing list, please visit our website: http://www.bcab.org.uk/bcab-discussion-list/ To discuss matters relating to the mailing list, please email moderator@bcab.org.uk. -- To find out more about BCAB and the benefits that membership can bring, please visit our website: http://www.bcab.org.uk/ To manage your subscription to the BCAB mailing list, please visit our website: http://www.bcab.org.uk/bcab-discussion-list/ To discuss matters relating to the mailing list, please email moderator@bcab.org.uk.