[access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware for the Blind
- From: Glenn Tookey <Glenn.Tookey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 18:38:39 +0000
You cannot claim VAT back, Vat exemption can only be claimed at point of sale.
The goods have to be adapted with a qualifying product - the only guidance I
have seen is around computer processors. John Lewis or the likes will not sell
any of the qualifying software and I imagine will have no knowledge of this
HMRC ruling in the retail shop.
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Eleanor Burke
Sent: 01 November 2010 22:32
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when
Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware
for the Blind
Fair point Andy, say I as one who have had adaptations to front panels of
washing machine, cooker and tumble dryer. Indeed it never occured to me re
VAT back. I was not wishing to start a huge discussion re VAT, just
checking out in line with what was said about 10 days ago. I am quite happy
to purchase my netbook from John Lewis and will probably do so tomorrow.
Eleanor
----- Original Message -----
From: "ANDY COLLINS" <Andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 9:13 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when
Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and
Hardware for the Blind
>I think there's a bigger argument to make for having a charity, say the
>RNIB paying for the adaptive technology blind people need. As things stand,
>we have to some how find a way of buying our screen reading software, that
>doesn't mean that when we then use it, we can get back the vat off the
>computer we use it on, but just the screen reading software itself. I had
>the front panel of my washing machine changed so that I can independently
>do my own laundry, so the machine was adapted for my use, but this didn't
>mean I could get the vat back off the price of the machine.
>
> Andy
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Eleanor Burke" <eleanorburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 8:27 PM
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when
> Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and
> Hardware for the Blind
>
>
>>I agree with what you say Andy but we will never know, would I have a PC
>>if I was not visually impaired, possibly but all I know at present is that
>>it is what I use for writing and reading.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "ANDY COLLINS" <Andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 8:24 PM
>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when
>> Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and
>> Hardware for the Blind
>>
>>
>>> I've not been convinced yet that this would be accepted, I think only
>>> the screen reader would be exempt from vat; after all, the computer
>>> isn't being modified or adapted, it is still as it was, it's just that a
>>> piece of software has been installed, nothing else. Seems strait forward
>>> common sense to me! I think as blind people, we let ourselves down if we
>>> keep trying to make a special case for everything.
>>>
>>> Andy
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Peter Holdstock" <peterholdstock@xxxxxxx>
>>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 6:39 PM
>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers
>>> when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software
>>> and Hardware for the Blind
>>>
>>>
>>>> So getting a PC vendor to either install NVDA or another free screen
>>>> reader, or at least say they have should suffice then?
>>>>
>>>> peter
>>>>
>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>> From: "Mark Faben" <mark.faben@xxxxxxxxx>
>>>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 4:11 PM
>>>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers
>>>> when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software
>>>> and Hardware for the Blind
>>>>
>>>>> As far as I recall, The VAT reduction can only be applied at the time
>>>>> of purchase, and only on goods specifically covered by the HMRC's
>>>>> rules regards VAT reduction on goods and services for the disabled.
>>>>>
>>>>> So, as I understood it, this means the VAT reduction applies
>>>>> specifically to certain goods designed specifically for the disabled;
>>>>> E.g., in our case a screen reader, Braille display, but also things
>>>>> like induction loops and wheelchairs etc. In the case of purchasing a
>>>>> computer, netbook etc., with adaptive software on it, this then means
>>>>> that the hardware concerned has been adapted, and so, only at the time
>>>>> of purchase, does that hardware also come under the regulations for
>>>>> applying VAT excemption to goods and services for the disabled. A PC,
>>>>> netbook etc., isn't something specifically for a disabled person, only
>>>>> when it carries adaptations is it rendered so, and so the reduction is
>>>>> only applied when the rules regarding the VAT reduction are met,
>>>>> namely only at time of purchase, and when the goods concerned are
>>>>> either specifically for a disabled person, or adapted in such a way
>>>>> to thereby be so.
>>>>>
>>>>> Remembering back, this situation is somewhat differnt I think from
>>>>> what it used to be; It basically cleared up a big mess that existed
>>>>> where certain bits of equipment/software were eligible for the VAT
>>>>> excemption and certain bits were not; So in that respect it simplified
>>>>> the process for both the person purchasing the equipment/software and
>>>>> also for the suppliers.
>>>>>
>>>>> Mark Faben.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 01/11/2010, Eleanor Burke <eleanorburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>> Andy I am fairly sure that Mr Tookey said that at the time of
>>>>>> purchase of
>>>>>> the software and laptop, VAT is given off the laptop also. He did go
>>>>>> on to
>>>>>> say that perhaps prices were not as competative as in the High Street
>>>>>> shops.
>>>>>> Now I may have this wrong and may have misunderstood but I do not
>>>>>> think so.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Eleanor
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: ANDY COLLINS
>>>>>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 3:41 PM
>>>>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and
>>>>>> Computers when
>>>>>> Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> Hardware for the Blind
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Eleanor - you only get the vat back on the specialist equipment,
>>>>>> such as a
>>>>>> screen reader, I don't think that being preinstalled or otherwise
>>>>>> makes a
>>>>>> difference -
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Andy
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: Eleanor Burke
>>>>>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 3:13 PM
>>>>>> Subject: [access-uk] VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers
>>>>>> when
>>>>>> Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> Hardware for the Blind
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> A week or more back Glenn Tookey responded to a question about
>>>>>> VAT back
>>>>>> when a computer/laptop/netbook was purchased along with screen
>>>>>> readers etc.
>>>>>> Hope you all remember. Steve Nutt was surprised at Glenn's response
>>>>>> as I
>>>>>> recall. Now my question is this. I have the special screen readers
>>>>>> but now
>>>>>> I require a netbook so why should I not be able to purchase my
>>>>>> netbook and
>>>>>> install my software and qualify for the VAT reduction? Does this
>>>>>> mean that
>>>>>> only when software is purchased such as screen readers can there be a
>>>>>> VAT
>>>>>> reduction? Isn't that silly as the lifespan of our screen readers
>>>>>> can be
>>>>>> greater than that of our computers or we may require an additional
>>>>>> netbook?
>>>>>> It is then a partial lipservice to the VAT reduction for blind
>>>>>> people. Now
>>>>>> how about if I were to purchase my netbook from one of these
>>>>>> companies who
>>>>>> provide screen readers then they will have me registered as a user of
>>>>>> their
>>>>>> software and would then know that my purchase of netbook was for me
>>>>>> as a
>>>>>> blind person. I could even add to that by installing my software and
>>>>>> then
>>>>>> registering that I had done so. I say this as many people will come
>>>>>> back to
>>>>>> me saying that there is no reason why I might not as a blind person
>>>>>> purchase
>>>>>> a computer/laptop or netbook for a sighted person. However, if there
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> proof that I had installed my specalist software then surely I should
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> entitled to the VAT reduction?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Eleanor
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Mark Faben
>>>>>
>>>>> Web: http://www.accessibilitytester.com
>>>>>
>>>>> Music: http://www.music.accessibilitytester.com
>>>>> E-Mail: mark.faben@xxxxxxxxx
>>>>>
>>>>> LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mark-faben/12/a2/25b
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