VAT on Groceries - Can we be VAT Free?

seabright

I know that VAT isn't charged on all food, but I don't really know what it's charged on and what it isn't (other than a nagging memory that there's no VAT on plain biscuits but there is VAT on chocolate ones) and have no idea whether non-food groceries attract VAT.

It occurs to me that with VAT increasing to 20% in 2011, if I knew what it was charged on and what it wasn't I could change my buying/eating/cleaning habits to become as VAT-free as possible.

Anyone know what attracts it and what doesn't? Anyone else want to try and reduce the VATable things they buy?

Vaila

as far as im aware certain types of alcohol , essential foods and childrenc colthing are exempt, but it really is something i have to swot up on too

Larumbelle

This link details what is VAT charged and what isn't. Some surprising discrepancies, and interesting information, it's not in the most entertaining format to read but at least it's straight from the horse's mouth!*

One way you can check what items you pay VAT on is to check your receipts - Tesco for one definitely marks VAT-able items.

* according to the document, live horses attract VAT at the standard rate as they're not a recognised food species

patchwork_cat

VAT is charged on items considered a luxury - not sure why children's clothes are considered essential, but adult's are a luxury, LOL!

So fruit and veg are vat free. Here is a link to a previous discussion on stocking up on VAT items https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1943681

ab7

Was thinking about VAT going up overall - purely because I was looking at my phone bills realising that that will be getting a hike up as well

zippychick

Hi Seabright

I'll move this to Shopping and groceries to see if you get more responses over there

Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Thanks
Zip

jenniewb

Though VAT on food wont go up, VAT on the transport to get the food to the stores, VAT on electricity to keep the store open, VAT on the cleaning products to keep the store hygenic...

Are you so sure that food prices wont still rise?

geordie_joe

jenniewb wrote: »

Though VAT on food wont go up, VAT on the transport to get the food to the stores, VAT on electricity to keep the store open, VAT on the cleaning products to keep the store hygenic...

Are you so sure that food prices wont still rise?

Well I've read this thread several times and can't see a post where someone has said it won't, so what is the point in asking if we are "sure that food prices wont still rise"

The original question was along the lines of "How can we reduce the number of things we buy that have VAT on them"

So in answer to your question........We are sure prices will will rise, but what we want to know is how can we change what we buy so as little as possible goes to the government who caused the rise in the first place"?

VoucherMan

silvercharming wrote: »

according to the document, live horses attract VAT at the standard rate as they're not a recognised food species

Makes sense. How many people (in Britain) buy a horse in order to butcher it and serve it up for Sunday lunch?

Allegra

VoucherMan wrote: »

Makes sense. How many people (in Britain) buy a horse in order to butcher it and serve it up for Sunday lunch?

How many people in Britain buy a cow in order to butcher it and serve it up for Sunday lunch ?

KimYeovil

seabright wrote: »

Anyone else want to try and reduce the VATable things they buy?

No. A 2.1% price increase is undetectable and is swamped by the chaotic and tricksy pricing policies of all supermarkets.