To VAT or not to VAT

Purchases for personal use.

As per VAT Notice 701/7 published by HM Customs & Excise, certain specialised goods and services needed by disabled people may be zero-rated for VAT – when purchased by a disabled person for domestic or personal use or by charities who provide care and facilities for disabled persons.

Please note that there is no requirement for you to be registered as disabled.

On the Connevans Limited  www.DeafEquipment.co.uk website you are able to make an online VAT declaration, to receive zero rating for VAT purposes, when placing an order for applicable products.

Now, we have to confess that lots of people get very confused about VAT and when it does or does not have to be paid. The following interpretation may (or may not!) help you – but please remember, it is only intended as a guide not a legal interpretation!

As an example, if you purchase an fmGenie system including batteries and charger, etc., we are allowed to accept a VAT exemption declaration on the system as a whole including the S&OP – after all, nobody is going to spend lots of money just to avoid paying VAT on batteries! However, batteries and chargers, etc., purchased at a later date would have to have VAT charged – because they are not items specifically designed to help a disability.

We can also accept a VAT declaration on spare parts such as shoes, direct input leads or neck loops that are unique to the system. Thus, if you were to order a spare direct input shoe and 2 batteries then we would have to charge VAT on the batteries but we could accept a VAT declaration on the direct input shoe.

The Shipping & Order Processing charge incurs the same VAT rate as the majority of the order.

There are severe penalties for making false declarations. If you are in any doubt about eligibility for relief from VAT on the supply of goods or services you are buying you should get advice from your local VAT office before making the declaration - contact details will be in your local telephone directory.

Local Authority, Health Authority and corporate purchases are not eligible for zero rating.

Against each product on the website you will see little happy VATs and sad VATs, they are our way of indicating which VAT category various products fall into. We hope the symbols prove helpful. The dual happy/sad VAT symbol appears when items may be allowed VAT relief but only in some situations ie. where bought as part of a complete system.

	VAT relief is permitted subject to the receipt of a valid VAT declaration form.
	VAT relief cannot be allowed for this product.
	VAT relief is permitted, subject to the receipt of a valid VAT declaration form, when supplied as part of a complete system; VAT relief cannot be allowed for the subsequent purchase of replacements.

EU Company purchases.

If you are ordering for a VAT registered EU Company not based in the UK, you will be able to supply your VAT Details during the checkout and we will not charge you VAT on your order.

Countries outside of the EU

VAT is not charged on orders for delivery to countries outside of the EU.