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 PMSubject: [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 PMSubject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware for the BlindI'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 PMSubject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware for the BlindSo 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 BlindAs 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 PMSubject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers whenPurchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware for the BlindEleanor - 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 adifference - Andy ----- Original Message ----- From: Eleanor Burke To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 3:13 PMSubject: [access-uk] VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers whenPurchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware for the BlindA 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 beentitled 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 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
