Man of Honour
Source?
Why does sunscreen have VAT on it?
- Thread starter rubberduck
- Start date
Source?
Soldato
I need to wear corrective lenses to see. Why should I pay VAT on glasses and lenses. Same difference.
Man of Honour
And your statistical and financial analysis is where?
Man of Honour
How remarkable! I wonder if it could be because that is what they are directly referencing?
For which bit?
For the first bit: http://www.vatlive.com/vat-rates/european-vat-rates/eu-vat-rates/
For the second bit, I would have to do some digging. It was what we were told by our lecturer when I was going through my Chartered Tax Advisor exams four years ago.
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- 8 Feb 2004
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Seems like a short sighted policy to me...
Soldato
We went in Boots the other day for some sport sunscreen.
Apparently they don't stock it during the summer, you only need it when skiing.
Hmm.
Apparently they don't stock it during the summer, you only need it when skiing.
Hmm.
Man of Honour
I'm after a source where you stated that the EU prevented the UK having more zero rated VAT applicable items.
Hate to quote wikipedia but it sums it up:
I wouldn't be able to get a source saying "UK Gov wants to zero rate more goods but that dang EU are preventing us". Things like that are talked about off the record. You would need to believe me or not unfortunately. The EU really don't like zero rate VAT though.
That's because it means any EU country can buy it and not pay tax which gives Britain an advantage in the export market (Items bought within the EU can only be taxed at point of origin).
Man of Honour
That was fine, I just wanted an understanding of why the EU may prevent zero rated items. We could reduce the VAT rate to 5% on other items from what I gather?
Soldato
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VAT on glasses is the biggest robbery ever.
Why? Most people treat glasses as a vanity/fashion item, whereas the bog standard el cheapo frames that do the job are a lot cheaper.
hats and clothing also being subject to VAt....
Soldato
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Because people need them to SEE? I certainly don't view mine as a vanity items. I bet most of the other 33mil+ people who need them don't either. Its just a money sink for the government from peoples disabilitys.
What does any of this have to do with an essential item for someones life being charged VAT.
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Like I said. The lenses matter, but you sure as hell don't need a pair of expensive designer specs. "Designer"/fashionable frames are a vanity item. As for it being a money sink don't be ridiculous. People opt for the more expensive frames because they want them: you can get "nhs" glasses for free or next to nothing.
Remove vat from the lenses, and leave vat on the frames.
I think part of what you're referring too is the VAT levied on dispensing services which I agree should be abolished. Also of note is the fact that Customs and Excise don't consider Optics to be medical care - which says an awful lot about the view that this country has towards opticians.
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even cheap frames are like 75 quid and are usually crap greatly limiting vision, heavy uncomfortable etc, and the lenses are useless without the frames.
what your saying is make the chair vat exempt but make them pay VAT for the wheels
No I'm not, at all. Don't be so facetious.
The heaviness of a pair of spectacles doesn't come from the frame, it comes from the lenses, and these days lenses are so light it's a moot point. Fancy frames are a luxury and should be taxed as such.
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yes you are your saying that an essential component that makes the item useful should be taxed. no differnt to saying a nessecery part of a wheel chair or any medical device should be.