Halfords and VAT relief on disability aids

sueturnersmith

Halfords have recently started selling disability aids such as wheelchairs, scooters and equipment.

I went to a branch yesterday, selected a swivel cushion designed to help me get in and out of the car, and went to the cash desk. The cashier tried to charge me the full price, so I said that I am disabled and entitled to VAT exemption. She had not heard of this, and called the manager. He arrived some time later, and said I would need to fill in a form. I said that's fine, and he said that he hadn't got one, and would have to print one out. I said OK, and said that I would then pay for the item less the VAT. The manager said I couldn't do this, and would have to pay the full amount and then send the form off to claim the VAT back. I said I had never done this when shopping for disabled equipment in other shops, but he said that's what they had to do.

I was quite annoyed about this, and said that in that case I would buy the equipment elsewhere. The government website says that the shop should deduct the VAT and I should only pay the balance. I should not need to claim the VAT back, because I shouldn't pay it in the first place!

I think I should write to Halford's head office!

sunnyone

sueturnersmith wrote: »

Halfords have recently started selling disability aids such as wheelchairs, scooters and equipment.

I went to a branch yesterday, selected a swivel cushion designed to help me get in and out of the car, and went to the cash desk. The cashier tried to charge me the full price, so I said that I am disabled and entitled to VAT exemption. She had not heard of this, and called the manager. He arrived some time later, and said I would need to fill in a form. I said that's fine, and he said that he hadn't got one, and would have to print one out. I said OK, and said that I would then pay for the item less the VAT. The manager said I couldn't do this, and would have to pay the full amount and then send the form off to claim the VAT back. I said I had never done this when shopping for disabled equipment in other shops, but he said that's what they had to do.

I was quite annoyed about this, and said that in that case I would buy the equipment elsewhere. The government website says that the shop should deduct the VAT and I should only pay the balance. I should not need to claim the VAT back, because I shouldn't pay it in the first place!

I think I should write to Halford's head office!

you can never, ever claim the VAT back, the product has to be zero rated at the point of sale [edit] but that dosnt mean that halfords have to sell you it zero rated.

For a product to be zero rated it must be designed as a disability aid and the supplier must be willing [add]// to sell them to you zero rated // and many places wont due to the extra paperwork involved.

Dont but from them if your unhappy, they are expensive anyway for what they are.

I get my ramps from machine mart, they are heavy duty, last forever and even with the VAT they are cheaper than anything from a disability supplier.

sueturnersmith

The item was designed as a mobility aid, and stated so on the box. Halfords were displaying a poster by the mobility equipment saying that you could claim the VAT back if you filled in an exemption form, but it seems that the shop wouldn't take the VAT off, and were telling everyone to send the form off to claim the VAT back!

My VAT was only £4, but heaven help those who bought mobility scooters and tried to claim over £200 VAT back, only to find that they couldn't!

They shouldn't be selling mobility equipment if this is what they do!

linni

I'm glad you posted this because I was looking to buy a Sterling Sapphire 2 from Halfords but I didn't in the end due to the re-claiming VAT.

kurgon

I may be being dumb, but surely if the item can be zero rated and they refuse because of 'too much 'papaerwork' then that would qualify as discrimination?

starchild1972

I think it is legal to ask you to apply to their relevant department for a refund of the VAT ( Financial Reporting, Halfords, Icknield Street Drive,
Washford West, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 0DE)

They may do this to check up on people's claims. They don't HAVE to offer it point of sale.
3.1 Who can purchase zero-rated goods and services?

The zero-rating of goods and services for disabled people depends in part upon the status of the recipient - see paragraph 2.1. You can only zero rate supplies to:

• handicapped people - see paragraph 3.2;
• charities - see paragraph 3.3; and
• certain eligible bodies - see paragraph 3.4.

As a supplier you must take reasonable steps to check that your customer is eligible to receive your goods or services at the zero rate

Asking people to apply to their company office for the VAT refund could be seen as "reasonable" if their till system is not set up for it.

sueturnersmith

I did have proof of my disability which I offered to show them - my Blue Badge, and my DLA award letter showing HRC, HRM, plus passport, driving licence, etc., so they had no reason to doubt me!

starchild1972

Yes but they can still charge you and ask you to reclaim it from their head office department that deals with that sort of thing. It is all legal and above board because they then have to claim it back from HMRC.

If they offer a "claim it back" service this may be seen as reasonable steps to providing the VAT relief.

custardy

sueturnersmith wrote: »

Halfords have recently started selling disability aids such as wheelchairs, scooters and equipment.

I went to a branch yesterday, selected a swivel cushion designed to help me get in and out of the car, and went to the cash desk. The cashier tried to charge me the full price, so I said that I am disabled and entitled to VAT exemption. She had not heard of this, and called the manager. He arrived some time later, and said I would need to fill in a form. I said that's fine, and he said that he hadn't got one, and would have to print one out. I said OK, and said that I would then pay for the item less the VAT. The manager said I couldn't do this, and would have to pay the full amount and then send the form off to claim the VAT back. I said I had never done this when shopping for disabled equipment in other shops, but he said that's what they had to do.

I was quite annoyed about this, and said that in that case I would buy the equipment elsewhere. The government website says that the shop should deduct the VAT and I should only pay the balance. I should not need to claim the VAT back, because I shouldn't pay it in the first place!

I think I should write to Halford's head office!

if you are going to write to head office, then whats the hassle in filling a form out and claiming via the same method?

Richie-from-the-Boro

The supplied item is for domestic or my own personal use only, so what's to stop you filling the claim form for Halford's to verify, then ask them to ring / or / email you when your eligibility for the exempt item is confirmed and ready for collection. .. .. then pay and collect.

Zero Rated VAT Form Invoice No……………..

Full Name .................................................. .................................................. ........

Address
.................................................. .................................................. .........................

.................................................. .................................................. .........................

.................................................. .................................................. .........................

Tel.No. .................................................. ........................

I declare that I have a disabling condition / am chronically ill:
(Please specify details of your condition)

.................................................. .................................................. .........................

.................................................. .................................................. .........................

.................................................. .................................................. .........................

And that I am eligible person under paragraph one (1) of VAT Notice 701 / 7 / 86 and that I am purchasing from ????????????? a lift and rise recliner which is being supplied to me for domestic or my personal use and I wish to claim relief from value added tax.

Signature .................................................. ...................

Date .................................................. ..........................

sueturnersmith

When I wanted to purchase the item, I was told I had to claim the VAT back from the Inland Revenue. There was no mention of claiming it back from their head office, and since they did not even have a form for me to use to make a claim (although they did reluctantly say that if I really wanted one they could print one out, but it would take some time), I was not able to find out that I had to claim from their head office.