VAT exemption for disabled car

silvertoes

I'm looking in to see if I can get a car with VAT exemption. But I've yet to find a website that I can find any information that tells you what alterations are needed to classify it for VAT relief.

Also where could I find details on how much it will cost for the alteration's.

Thanks very much.

Ted_Hutchinson

Details of the VAT exemption on vehicles adapted for a wheelchair user can be found Vat website

The important thing to remember is for the VAT exemption to apply to the whole vehicle and to subsequent servicing you need to get the adaptations done before the vehicle is delivered. The kind of things which qualify are permanent adaptions such as a hoist to get the chair into the boot, swivel seats to enable you to get in/out, hand controls. You may also find that certain car makers offer disabled drivers a concessionary discount as well.

It would make it easier to find a price for adaptions if you could say what adaptions you might require?

silvertoes

Hi Ted,
I've yet to have an assessment done - I was trying to work ahead, and trying to find out the approximate costs i.e swivel chair.

Thanks for the VAT website, it was very useful

Ted_Hutchinson

Hand controls

Convertacar 2003 disability modification prices

Ricability reports

If you have lots of stuff to buy it may be worth looking for secondhand Disability Equipment register
Disabled drivers Association Click Mobility Sales for the classadds
Disability now
But you would have to check it was suitable for you and your vehicle and could be delivered to the car supplier and fitted before you took delivery of the vehicle.
If you were simply going for hand controls these look pretty easy for the garage to fit and would easily be removed when reselling the vehicle. Lynx hand controls

Paul_Varjak

If you are a regular wheelchair (or stretcher) user and buy an adapted vehicle you can get VAT relief on the whole vehicle. However, if you are disabled but not a regular wheelchair (or stretcher) user you only get VAT relief on the cost of the adaption.

Ted_Hutchinson

Paul_Varjak wrote:

If you are a regular wheelchair (or stretcher) user and buy an adapted vehicle you can get VAT relief on the whole vehicle. However, if you are disabled but not a regular wheelchair (or stretcher) user you only get VAT relief on the cost of the adaption.

I am not a wheelchair user myself but do meet others who had polio previously, one of whom used crutches & Mobility scooter, but not a wheelchair. He had no problem getting a car adapted and didn't pay VAT on either the adaptions or the car, or subsequent servicing. I don't know if he or his supplier were aware that this VAT exemption had violated the rules.
When I explained the situation to him, he felt the discrimination against him, because he was found use crutches easier to manage than a wheelchair, unjust but he intended to use the same supplier when he next replaced his car VAT exempt, but now he knew he was evading VAT he would consider borrowing/using a wheelchair the day he went to order his next car.

I feel that severely disabled people who are daily obliged to use crutches because they find crutches easier to manage than a wheelchair should not be discriminated against in this way, so feel no compunction to report this VAT evasion.

Paul_Varjak

The rules on qualifying for VAT concessions on the full value of car purchase have recently been relaxed but not to the extent that Ted would hope for.

The vehicle supplier is expected to satisfy themselves that the disabled person conforms to the conditions laid down by the HMCE for relief from VAT. This means the disabled person has to sign a declaration to the effect that they are a regular wheelchair or stretcher user, and present this declaration to the vehicle supplier.

If the disabled person misrepresents themselves to the supplier by turning up in a wheelchair when they are not a wheelchair user, they not only leave themselves open to prosecution, but also place the vehicle supplier in an invidious position as well.

Ted_Hutchinson

Paul_Varjak wrote:

The rules on qualifying for VAT concessions on the full value of car purchase have recently been relaxed but not to the extent that Ted would hope for.

The vehicle supplier is expected to satisfy themselves that the disabled person conforms to the conditions laid down by the HMCE for relief from VAT. This means the disabled person has to sign a declaration to the effect that they are a regular wheelchair or stretcher user, and present this declaration to the vehicle supplier.

If the disabled person misrepresents themselves to the supplier by turning up in a wheelchair when they are not a wheelchair user, they not only leave themselves open to prosecution, but also place the vehicle supplier in an invidious position as well.

Absolutely true. I simply reported the facts of this case as I knew to be true. I don't use crutches or a wheelchair so cannot benefit from this exemption anyway but I thought it may be helpful to some severely disabled people to know that some suppliers may be willing to take more relaxed interpretation of the law and do interpret it with a modicum of humanity.
So if both purchaser and supplier are aware of the situation and the inherent injustice, by applying common sense and flexibility in it's interpretation it may avoid putting those obliged to enforce unjust rules under the same sort of scrutiny as this example from the DWP. [font=arial,sans-serif][size=-1]http://makeashorterlink.com/?H143526CA
[/size][/font]I certainly don't condone fraud or downright dishonesty but in this particular case I hope the severely disabled chap with polio can continue to benefit from the VAT exemption and doesn't have any hassle.

Edit PS. It would be interesting to know if Paul, who may indeed be aware of the individual concerned, would report the matter to the VAT authorities or do as I did and turn a blind eye and wish him well?
PPS Has Paul answered this hypothetical question? see below.

Paul_Varjak

The 'common sense' approach by any dealer faced with a situation where he knew a disabled person was misrepresenting his requirement for a wheelchair would be to refuse to supply ther vehicle unless the disabled person paid the VAT.

In fact if he did not do so, the dealer would be entering into a conspiracy with the disabled person to evade VAT.

It is certainly not a 'common sense' approach, as you put, it to sign a document stating you are a regular wheelchair user if you are not. That suggestion clearly indicates that not only do you condone fraud you actively promote it!

silvertoes

Isn't the exception to the wheelchair rule, someone who has MS?
I'm sure I read that in the VAT website

Ted_Hutchinson

silvertoes wrote:

Isn't the exception to the wheelchair rule, someone who has MS?
I'm sure I read that in the VAT website

Thanks for that reminder
A disabled person with a degenerative condition, such as multiple sclerosis, who does not need to use a
wheelchair all the time, but only when the condition requires it, also qualifies as a wheelchair user.

Polio survivors tend to be very cussed individuals and in many cases their own worst enemies when it comes to accepting their rate of decline in physical strength may be twice that of natural ageing. It's true that everyone must keep exercising to maintain strength, but resting when tired and pacing activities is the only way for those with PPS to extend their limited powers. But I can quite see why some are reluctant to adapt to wheelchair life.

Still not quite sure if Paul would actually shop this particluar disabled person to the VAT office, though it is quite clear he disapproves of his action more than I do?