October 2022 VATwatch

DL Expo

I am very happy to be sponsoring DL Expo which takes place at the Dolphin Centre on Wednesday 5th October.

It is the first proper one since 2019 and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone.

There are still stands available if you’d like to exhibit, or you are very welcome to come along as a guest and say hello to everyone.

Museums and Galleries Government VAT Relief Scheme 

A scheme that has been providing VAT relief to museums and galleries since 2001 is open for applications for the first time since 2019.

Museums and galleries which open to the public for 30 hours a week without charging an entry fee can apply for the scheme if certain conditions are met.

The government scheme is designed to make arts and culture more accessible to the public, as well as providing a welcome financial boost for those participating in the scheme.

159 sites across the UK currently participate in the scheme and over £900 million in VAT refunds has been issued under the scheme since 2001.

UK Government to Introduce Tax-Free Shopping Scheme

As part of September’s ‘mini budget’, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced that there will be a consultation on a new tax-free shopping scheme for Great Britain.

Government documents say:

‘The government will introduce a modern, digital, VAT-free shopping scheme with the aim of providing a boost to the high street and creating jobs in the retail and tourism sectors. The delivery will include modernising the scheme that currently operates in Northern Ireland and introducing a new digital scheme in Great Britain – a consultation will gather views on the approach and design of the scheme, to be delivered as soon as possible. The new VAT-free shopping scheme for non-UK visitors to Great Britain will enable them to obtain a VAT refund on goods bought in the high street, airports and other departure points and exported from the UK in their personal baggage.’

No implementation date has yet been published.