Re: [BCAB] VAT exemption on Tvonics set top box Neela 06 Dec 2012 09:46 GMT
You have a point there Colin. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Colin Phelan" <Colin_Phelan@pmlgroup.com> To: "BCAB Discussion List" <bcab@lists.bcab.org.uk> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 9:24 AM Subject: Re: [BCAB] VAT exemption on Tvonics set top box >I think Barry's point about equipment being manufactured specifically > for VI folk is the answer. > Like everything in life, there are shades of grey, My view is that the I > pad VAT exemption experienced in Apple shops is Apple choosing to go one > side of the line. > I also suggest that bringing to much noise to their decision may well > push them back the other side not bring other products in line with > apples apparent choice. > Colin > > -----Original Message----- > From: Bcab [mailto:bcab-bounces@lists.bcab.org.uk] On Behalf Of Agent > Orange > Sent: 05 December 2012 21:22 > 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. > > ______________________________________________________________________ > This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud > service. > For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com > ______________________________________________________________________ > > ______________________________________________________________________ > This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. > For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com > ______________________________________________________________________ > > -- > 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.