VAT - 20% - being charged after it was reduced

[KaHn]

Hey all,

I stayed in London last night and when i check out the hotel the bill shows that they charged me 20% VAT, now the money doesn't bother me as the extra is minimal but the principle annoys me, anyone else seen this and did you complain to the company or anywhere else?

Cheer,

KaHn

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Write an email or letter to them. Not had this issue yet.

 

[RJC]

Ignore.

 

[Destination]

What has been reduced?
Vat is 20 still.

 

[Moothead2]

I thought it was 20% ?

 

[estebanrey]

But VAT is 20%???????

Unless you are a foreign national (in which case you can claim it back on your return) I don't get what your issue is.

Introduction to VAT

VAT is a tax that's charged on most goods and services that VAT-registered businesses provide in the UK. It's also charged on goods and some services that are imported from countries outside the European Union (EU), and brought into the UK from other EU countries.
VAT is charged when a VAT-registered business sells to either another business or to a non-business customer.
When VAT-registered businesses buy goods or services they can generally reclaim the VAT they've paid.
There are three rates of VAT, depending on the goods or services the business provides. The rates are:

standard - 20 per cent
reduced - 5 per cent
zero - 0 per cent

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/start/introduction.htm

 

[MeatLoaf]

I thought the VAT rate was 20%

 

[Dis86]

according to HMRC it still is!

Unless you pay the reduced rate of 5%?

 

[estebanrey]

Unless you pay the reduced rate of 5%?

The reduced rate is only applied to items deemed semi-essential (like some foods foods and clothing for an example), can't see why a stay at a hotel would qualify.

 

[Dis86]

The reduced rate is only applied to items deemed semi-essential (like some foods foods and clothing for an example), can't see why a stay at a hotel would qualify.

Because having some place to sleep is essential? But the luxury of a hotel is not?

Thus Semi-essenital?

Nah but really, I have no freakin clue!

 

[Surveyor]

Unless you pay the reduced rate of 5%?

Not on hotel bills.

It applies to things like gas, electric, heating oil for domestic use, mobility aids for the elderly: Rates of VAT on different goods and services

 

[G-MAN2004]

20% is correct, is it not?

 

[justalex81]

Somewhere in South Shields, there's a village missing an idiot.

 

[Dis86]

Somewhere in South Shields, there's a village missing an idiot.

Never been to South Shields have you?

It's where the missing village idiots congregate!

 

[ArnieRambo]

New Monkey...MC STOMPIN

 

[Deleted member 77746]

20% is still correct, gosh I havn't even noticed.

 

[keysersoze]

Never been to South Shields have you?

It's where the missing village idiots congregate!

:facepalm: Seriously. I think another has gone missing.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Never been to South Shields have you?

It's where the missing village idiots congregate!

Could say the same about Northumberland.

 

[Muffin`]

I think he's getting at he told the price was X and then he's come to pay an it's now Y as they've added the VAT, not that he still thinks it's still 17.5%. I'm not sure on the legality's of it but I don't think you're allowed to do that with the general public

 

[Kol]

I think he's getting at he told the price was X and then he's come to pay an it's now Y as they've added the VAT, not that he still thinks it's still 17.5%. I'm not sure on the legality's of it but I don't think you're allowed to do that with the general public

Makes sense, but then not what the title suggests, which itself wouldn't make sense at all if what you state is the case.