What is a dwelling?

For years, HMRC maintained that a dwelling can only comprise one building.  Now, however, they do accept that a dwelling can have more than one building.  There are conditions, of course, for which see Revenue & Customs Brief 13/2016.  The difficulty with it is that, as ever, they pass the onus on to the contractor … Read more What is a dwelling?

VAT on intelligent lighting

Keeping up the good work, here’s my first new substantive post – HMRC have announced that intelligent lighting can now be zero rated, where applicable.  Or else 5% rated, again if applicable.  But first, a bit of background: Since 1973, with a few exceptions, there has been no VAT cost, in building a new house.  … Read more VAT on intelligent lighting

A wee bit of good news again!

HMRC have taken heed of the responses to their Budget change consultations and have allowed a small measure of relaxation in the transitional arrangements relating to the cessation of zero rating for listed buildings. If you recall, zero rating will cease as at 30 September 2012. The first exception to this was a transitional arrangement … Read more A wee bit of good news again!

Energy saving materials to be attacked by the EU

The EU has asked the UK to amend its rules on energy saving materials, which are currently subject to the 5% VAT rate, on a ‘supply and fit’ basis. Under EU VAT rules, the UK (and other member states) can only apply a reduced rate on a specified number of goods and services. Energy saving … Read more Energy saving materials to be attacked by the EU

Bad news on listed buildings

My recent euphoria on an earlier previous post that included the words “possibly some good news on listed buildings” was somewhat deflated on the afternoon of the Budget. With effect from 1 October 2012, the VAT relief that currently allows zero rating for certain types of work on listed buildings has been withdrawn. As a … Read more Bad news on listed buildings

BUDGET 2012

For once the Budget has introduced a few interesting topics on VAT, not all of them good, of course: • As ever, the VAT registration limit is rising – to £77,000 – with the new de-registration limit set at £75,000. Effective from 1 April 2012. • Again as ever, the VAT fuel scale charge figures … Read more BUDGET 2012