Dept of Finance refuse to zero rate helmets.

CJhaughey · 19-08-2016 10:40pm #1

I can't believe that the bunch of morons in DoF continue to argue that they are bound by EU law to apply full vat (23%) to protective equipment including bike helmets and bicycle helmets.
How is the UK (Brexit aside) able to do it?
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/eu-wont-allow-vat-cut-to-help-road-safety-416598.html
and the UK's enlightened position.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-70123-protective-equipment/vat-notice-70123-protective-equipment#motorcycle-helmets

Peanut2011 · 21-08-2016 10:06pm

Same as they are able to pick and choose other laws. VRT....

AlmightyCushion · 21-08-2016 10:30pm

When the current VAT rules came in they allowed an exemption for items that were zero rated before the rules came in. In the UK helmets were zero rated at the time so the exemption applies whereas here they weren't zero rated at the time so they are not exempt and we must apply VAT.

Del2005 · 21-08-2016 10:53pm

Peanut2011 wrote: »

Same as they are able to pick and choose other laws. VRT....

We aren't the only country which charges a vehicle registration tax and we aren't the most expensive. A friend had to spend a fair bit and jump through a load of hoops to register an Irish bike in the UK, I spend 5 minutes and no problems to register my UK import in Ireland with a completely transparent tax.

Peanut2011 · 21-08-2016 10:56pm

Del2005 wrote: »

We aren't the only country which charges a vehicle registration tax and we aren't the most expensive. A friend had to spend a fair bit and jump through a load of hoops to register an Irish bike in the UK, I spend 5 minutes and no problems to register my UK import in Ireland with a completely transparent tax.

What is the point of your post? Just because there is someone else doing it does not make it right

Del2005 · 21-08-2016 11:22pm

Peanut2011 wrote: »

What is the point of your post? Just because there is someone else doing it does not make it right

The point of my post is that VRT is a legal tax and in countries that don't charge as much registration tax, in the UK it's £50, there are other expenses and unnecessary paper work that they put on someone trying to register a vehicle.

Charging luxury tax on mandatory PPE is disgraceful, it could easily be rated lower, charging a tax to register a vehicle is not.

mamax · 21-08-2016 11:28pm

I bought my helmet online from the uk, why the hell should I pay 330 here for the same thing I can get for 170 delivered from the uk
This country is a complete rip off for stuff like this.

CJhaughey · 22-08-2016 7:47am

So there isn't an option to even rate PPE at 5% which is the low rate that applies to kids car seats and the like?

robinph · 22-08-2016 8:05am

Sounds like it's the same issue as the "tampon tax" they were trying to get rid of in the UK recently. All down to what the governments of 50 years ago had decided to put VAT on which then leaves the current ones to attempt to sort it out.