Why does sunscreen have VAT on it?

arknor · 29 Jul 2014 at 16:41

why would chip fat attract wasps ?

don't they like nectar and sugar ? not starch and oil?

anything I don't mind · 29 Jul 2014 at 16:43

The state would tax everything if they could get away with it.

86JR · 29 Jul 2014 at 16:43

Mark A said:
Some people have to work outside and so need to use it. Should be VAT free imo, It's expensive enough as it is.

Can probably claim it as a business expense if you have to work outside.

stopper · 29 Jul 2014 at 17:00

rubberduck said:
Is it right that I should have to pay VAT on something that will (hopefully) protect me from getting melanoma?

Why don't you just cover up in light clothes and a cap?
It is much safer than plastering yourself in synthetic chemicals, then baking it into your skin in the burning hot sun.

Josh · 29 Jul 2014 at 17:03

Could it be counted as a form of PPE for outdoor workers?

Kemik · 29 Jul 2014 at 17:10

platypus said:
What has Europe got to do with British tax law?

The EU sets the broad VAT rules through European VAT Directives. This includes what can and can't be included in the various rates. At one stage the Government wanted to include more in the zero rate band but the EU disagreed.

86JR · 29 Jul 2014 at 17:15

The EU are an absolute pest.

Just this week I had to send all my details to Brussels about one of my businesses...what has it got to do with Europe I don't even trade there.

How long until the EU decides to charge a tax on top of HMRC? Why else do they want all these details?

Kemik · 29 Jul 2014 at 17:19

86JR said:
The EU are an absolute pest.

Just this week I had to send all my details to Brussels about one of my businesses...what has it got to do with Europe I don't even trade there.

How long until the EU decides to charge a tax on top of HMRC? Why else do they want all these details?

They can't do that in the UK.

malfunkshun · 29 Jul 2014 at 17:51

Mark A said:
Some people have to work outside and so need to use it. Should be VAT free imo, It's expensive enough as it is.

In which case you get your employer to provide it as PPE or claim tax relief if you are self-employed.

Feek · 29 Jul 2014 at 17:56

seabiscuit said:
A bath? Twice a month? Luxury. We had to roll in a puddle and wipe ourselves down with nettles. Still we were happier then, though we were poor.

because we were poor.

rubberduck · 29 Jul 2014 at 18:24

D.P. said:
I guess the rational is that you can stay in the shade and wear long sleeve clothing and a sun hat, avoid going out in the mid day sun etc., all of which is likely much healthier.

Sitting on a sunbed by a pool etc. is not something that should entice VAT savings but many outdoor sports could be seen as a benefit. The bigger question is should things like hiking boots, sports clothes and equipment etc etc. be VAT free? In general it is in the government's best interest toi have people partaking in lots of sports. Biut this opens up so many gray area questions (is darts a sport worthy of being omitted from VAT?)

Insightful post and something I hadn't thought about. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

[TW]Fox · 29 Jul 2014 at 19:22

86JR said:
.what has it got to do with Europe I don't even trade there.

Yes you do?

novaenough · 29 Jul 2014 at 21:09

Mark A said:
Some people have to work outside and so need to use it. Should be VAT free imo, It's expensive enough as it is.

malfunkshun said:
In which case you get your employer to provide it as PPE or claim tax relief if you are self-employed.

This^
We provide suncream for our guys that work outdoors.
Should be in your risk assessment

Wej · 29 Jul 2014 at 21:24

Feek said:
because we were poor.

Tell that to the youth of today and they won't believe you...

platypus · 30 Jul 2014 at 06:31

Kemik said:
The EU sets the broad VAT rules through European VAT Directives. This includes what can and can't be included in the various rates. At one stage the Government wanted to include more in the zero rate band but the EU disagreed.

I understand that, but the individual governments are able to set their own vat rates I thought, fair enough.

Hades · 30 Jul 2014 at 08:52

Cosimo said:
Cold mud, what a luxury! When I was a lad the only fruit we had all year long was an orange. We had it at Chrismas time. It had to be shared by my ten bothers and sisters, the rest of the family and had to last until the New Year. We were the lucky ones as the folks next door had to share a date.

Eating fruit? What a luxury! When I was a lad the only fruit we got to see was watching next doors kids lick a date on Christmas day.

pitchfork · 30 Jul 2014 at 08:58

malfunkshun said:
In which case you get your employer to provide it as PPE or claim tax relief if you are self-employed.

Can you imagine walking up to a big Irish foreman. "Mick... I think we should have free suncream on site, I'm burning quite badly"

I don't know about VAT but a big floppy sun hat is cheap enough. Tend to wear a hat to protect my face, my body hair does the rest.

Wej said:
Tell that to the youth of today and they won't believe you...

Oh I don't know, I mean I wouldn't say I enjoyed being poor but it had it's upsides. You learnt to make the most out of everything, fix anything and all kinds of ways to make money go further.

estebanrey · 30 Jul 2014 at 09:19

It didn't use to have until they made Baz Luhrmann Chancellor.

ubersonic · 30 Jul 2014 at 09:38

They should drop VAT from sunscreen, the savings in the NHS cancer treatment costs would cover the difference.

Beerguzzler · 30 Jul 2014 at 11:00

A puddle, what a luxury! When I was a lad the only shower we had was golden from the local cowbeast. You don't know you've been born son.