Sports Clubs and VAT 14 January 2015 at 3:02PM in Sports & fitness MoneySaving 4 replies 1.6K views

Dr_Crane

I would love to find out whether a not for profit sports club could claim back VAT on ground hire?

I play for a small cricket club (17 players), we play about 14 matches at home (rented ground) per season at a rate of £200 per match, we are charged another £560 VAT on top. Our total income and expenses are around £4000 p.a.

We are promoting a healthy/social activity and the Govt charges us about £30 each p.a. for the privilege....

Does anyone know if we could claim the VAT back?

tincans6

Dr_Crane wrote: »

I would love to find out whether a not for profit sports club could claim back VAT on ground hire?

I play for a small cricket club (17 players), we play about 14 matches at home (rented ground) per season at a rate of £200 per match, we are charged another £560 VAT on top. Our total income and expenses are around £4000 p.a.

We are promoting a healthy/social activity and the Govt charges us about £30 each p.a. for the privilege....

Does anyone know if we could claim the VAT back?

You can't claim the VAT back - however, who rents the pitch to your team ?

It is a potentially exempt supply provided certain conditions are met.

If the people renting your pitch to you are a commercial profit making body, there is nothing much you can do.

shykins

I was looking up gift aid etc for our U3A the other day and it mentioned CASC which yours may well be, see link below for whether you are eligible to be classed a CASC and claiming. Gift Aid back on subs and for reclaiming VAT

https://www.gov.uk/register-a-community-amateur-sports-club/eligibility

https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-cascs

Hope that helps

ExMugPunter

A few years ago I worked for a commercial 5 a side and 11 a side football company and unless things have changed since I dont think you should be being charged VAT.

We used to get any regular booker (ie book a pitch at least once every 2 weeks) to sign an agreement. This meant it was VAT exempt. They were still charged the same amount, its just the company didnt pay VAT on it.

A company i worked for later had grass 11 aside pitches which we rented out to local teams, and they weren't charged VAT either.

Like I say, I dont know if that would still apply today, but you are right to look into it.

Dr_Crane

Too those that took the time to reply, thank you! I will raise the topic at the next club meeting, I think we might have a chance!