New build home - claiming vat back in NI

williams55

Hi
I was wondering if anyone could give me a few pointers with regards to claiming vat back on paint etc for a new home . A fella i was talking to reakons i should be able to get some cash back from the goverment on the vat ive paid for purchases to do up a new house . I wouldnt have a clue how to go about this and whether or not i can claim . Its not a self build home but it is a new build home . Anyone have any experiance of how i can go about this and what materials i can claim the vat back on ?
Sure would be a nice wee bit of moneysaving if i could claim something back .
cheers
williams

mrnomoneybags

I think you can only claim back the VAT from things that you have used to build the house.

You need to keep the reciepts and then you fill in a form enclose copies of the reciepts and send it off........ hopefully you will have 17.5% back

MickMack

I might be wrong but i thought you could only claim VAT back on expenses relating to your business.

I don't think you can claim back VAT on domestic expenses as far as i know.

I know framers are able to claim VAT back on materials and Fuel and a % off utility bills related to the farm, but they couldn't claim back VAT on materials unless they are shown to be related to the business!

Some Building and plumbing suppliers can be helpful when making out VAT receipts, i.e. they make it out as farm gates or water pipe or something like that rather than a new bathroom suite, but i think thats the only way round it.

motorguy

MickMack wrote: »

I might be wrong but i thought you could only claim VAT back on expenses relating to your business.

I don't think you can claim back VAT on domestic expenses as far as i know.

I know framers are able to claim VAT back on materials and Fuel and a % off utility bills related to the farm, but they couldn't claim back VAT on materials unless they are shown to be related to the business!

Some Building and plumbing suppliers can be helpful when making out VAT receipts, i.e. they make it out as farm gates or water pipe or something like that rather than a new bathroom suite, but i think thats the only way round it.

You were right to think you might be wrong.

You can claim back VAT on a new build providing you can demonstrate that you significantly finished the house yourself. ie, you cant just buy a new house in a development then claim back the VAT on the paint, wooden floors, etc. You have to show that you, say, fitted the kitchen after the house was bought or something like that.

Having said that, thats usually pretty easy as its just a matter of getting your kitchen supplier to give you a VAT receipt.

Check out somewhere like http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/sbvat.htm

but i think its pretty straightforward - you apply for a pack from the VAT people, then submit all your receipts. you can do so up to six months after the house is completed.

CL

You can only claim VAT on items that cannot be removed when you leave, like tiles, wooden floors, fireplace, etc. We called the VAT office to ask if the VAT on integrated appliances could be claimed, as they can't be taken when you move and were told that you cannot claim back the VAT on any "white goods".

pennypuppy

Its actually quite complicated, for example fixtures and fittings you can claim for BUT spotlights that are fixed/recessed into your ceilings is supposed to be disallowed (though I would put it in and let them knock it back - after all they are fittings) Just get the Vat mans email address and keep asking him.

windym_2

It is very easy but not everyone can claim. If there has been a claim once on your house already then another will not be allowed. Usually the builder / developer or self-builder makes the claim. You need to read this to help you further.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000150&propertyType=document

If it is a case of you have purchased a new home and are decorating, then you will not be able to claim back the VAT.

pennypuppy wrote: »

BUT spotlights that are fixed/recessed into your ceilings is supposed to be disallowed

Spotlights, in fact almost all lighting, including chandeliers are allowable under the refund scheme.

For an extensive, but not exhaustive list please look at the document in the link. If something is ambiguous you can email HMRC and they will reply.

pgilc1 wrote: »

you can do so up to six months after the house is completed.

Claims must be made no more than three months after the construction or conversion is completed.