You cannot claim VAT back, Vat exemption can only be claimed at point of sale. The goods have to be adapted with a qualifying product - the only guidance I have seen is around computer processors. John Lewis or the likes will not sell any of the qualifying software and I imagine will have no knowledge of this HMRC ruling in the retail shop. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Eleanor Burke Sent: 01 November 2010 22:32 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware for the Blind Fair point Andy, say I as one who have had adaptations to front panels of washing machine, cooker and tumble dryer. Indeed it never occured to me re VAT back. I was not wishing to start a huge discussion re VAT, just checking out in line with what was said about 10 days ago. I am quite happy to purchase my netbook from John Lewis and will probably do so tomorrow. Eleanor ----- Original Message ----- From: "ANDY COLLINS" <Andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 9:13 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and Hardware for the Blind >I think there's a bigger argument to make for having a charity, say the >RNIB paying for the adaptive technology blind people need. As things stand, >we have to some how find a way of buying our screen reading software, that >doesn't mean that when we then use it, we can get back the vat off the >computer we use it on, but just the screen reading software itself. I had >the front panel of my washing machine changed so that I can independently >do my own laundry, so the machine was adapted for my use, but this didn't >mean I could get the vat back off the price of the machine. > > Andy > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Eleanor Burke" <eleanorburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 8:27 PM > Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when > Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and > Hardware for the Blind > > >>I agree with what you say Andy but we will never know, would I have a PC >>if I was not visually impaired, possibly but all I know at present is that >>it is what I use for writing and reading. >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "ANDY COLLINS" <Andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 8:24 PM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers when >> Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software and >> Hardware for the Blind >> >> >>> I've not been convinced yet that this would be accepted, I think only >>> the screen reader would be exempt from vat; after all, the computer >>> isn't being modified or adapted, it is still as it was, it's just that a >>> piece of software has been installed, nothing else. Seems strait forward >>> common sense to me! I think as blind people, we let ourselves down if we >>> keep trying to make a special case for everything. >>> >>> Andy >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Peter Holdstock" <peterholdstock@xxxxxxx> >>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 6:39 PM >>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers >>> when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software >>> and Hardware for the Blind >>> >>> >>>> So getting a PC vendor to either install NVDA or another free screen >>>> reader, or at least say they have should suffice then? >>>> >>>> peter >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------- >>>> From: "Mark Faben" <mark.faben@xxxxxxxxx> >>>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 4:11 PM >>>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers >>>> when Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software >>>> and Hardware for the Blind >>>> >>>>> As far as I recall, The VAT reduction can only be applied at the time >>>>> of purchase, and only on goods specifically covered by the HMRC's >>>>> rules regards VAT reduction on goods and services for the disabled. >>>>> >>>>> So, as I understood it, this means the VAT reduction applies >>>>> specifically to certain goods designed specifically for the disabled; >>>>> E.g., in our case a screen reader, Braille display, but also things >>>>> like induction loops and wheelchairs etc. In the case of purchasing a >>>>> computer, netbook etc., with adaptive software on it, this then means >>>>> that the hardware concerned has been adapted, and so, only at the time >>>>> of purchase, does that hardware also come under the regulations for >>>>> applying VAT excemption to goods and services for the disabled. A PC, >>>>> netbook etc., isn't something specifically for a disabled person, only >>>>> when it carries adaptations is it rendered so, and so the reduction is >>>>> only applied when the rules regarding the VAT reduction are met, >>>>> namely only at time of purchase, and when the goods concerned are >>>>> either specifically for a disabled person, or adapted in such a way >>>>> to thereby be so. >>>>> >>>>> Remembering back, this situation is somewhat differnt I think from >>>>> what it used to be; It basically cleared up a big mess that existed >>>>> where certain bits of equipment/software were eligible for the VAT >>>>> excemption and certain bits were not; So in that respect it simplified >>>>> the process for both the person purchasing the equipment/software and >>>>> also for the suppliers. >>>>> >>>>> Mark Faben. >>>>> >>>>> On 01/11/2010, Eleanor Burke <eleanorburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >>>>>> Andy I am fairly sure that Mr Tookey said that at the time of >>>>>> purchase of >>>>>> the software and laptop, VAT is given off the laptop also. He did go >>>>>> on to >>>>>> say that perhaps prices were not as competative as in the High Street >>>>>> shops. >>>>>> Now I may have this wrong and may have misunderstood but I do not >>>>>> think so. >>>>>> >>>>>> Eleanor >>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>>> From: ANDY COLLINS >>>>>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 3:41 PM >>>>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and >>>>>> Computers when >>>>>> Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software >>>>>> and >>>>>> Hardware for the Blind >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Eleanor - you only get the vat back on the specialist equipment, >>>>>> such as a >>>>>> screen reader, I don't think that being preinstalled or otherwise >>>>>> makes a >>>>>> difference - >>>>>> >>>>>> Andy >>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>>> From: Eleanor Burke >>>>>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 3:13 PM >>>>>> Subject: [access-uk] VAT Back on Laptopos/Netbooks and Computers >>>>>> when >>>>>> Purchasing Screen Readers and from Companies Dealing with Software >>>>>> and >>>>>> Hardware for the Blind >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> A week or more back Glenn Tookey responded to a question about >>>>>> VAT back >>>>>> when a computer/laptop/netbook was purchased along with screen >>>>>> readers etc. >>>>>> Hope you all remember. Steve Nutt was surprised at Glenn's response >>>>>> as I >>>>>> recall. Now my question is this. I have the special screen readers >>>>>> but now >>>>>> I require a netbook so why should I not be able to purchase my >>>>>> netbook and >>>>>> install my software and qualify for the VAT reduction? Does this >>>>>> mean that >>>>>> only when software is purchased such as screen readers can there be a >>>>>> VAT >>>>>> reduction? Isn't that silly as the lifespan of our screen readers >>>>>> can be >>>>>> greater than that of our computers or we may require an additional >>>>>> netbook? >>>>>> It is then a partial lipservice to the VAT reduction for blind >>>>>> people. Now >>>>>> how about if I were to purchase my netbook from one of these >>>>>> companies who >>>>>> provide screen readers then they will have me registered as a user of >>>>>> their >>>>>> software and would then know that my purchase of netbook was for me >>>>>> as a >>>>>> blind person. I could even add to that by installing my software and >>>>>> then >>>>>> registering that I had done so. I say this as many people will come >>>>>> back to >>>>>> me saying that there is no reason why I might not as a blind person >>>>>> purchase >>>>>> a computer/laptop or netbook for a sighted person. However, if there >>>>>> was >>>>>> proof that I had installed my specalist software then surely I should >>>>>> be >>>>>> entitled to the VAT reduction? >>>>>> >>>>>> Eleanor >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Mark Faben >>>>> >>>>> Web: http://www.accessibilitytester.com >>>>> >>>>> Music: http://www.music.accessibilitytester.com >>>>> E-Mail: mark.faben@xxxxxxxxx >>>>> >>>>> LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mark-faben/12/a2/25b >>>>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >>>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>>>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> ** and in the Subject line type >>>>> ** unsubscribe >>>>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >>>>> ** immediately-following link:- >>>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>>>> ** or send a message, to >>>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>>>> >>>>> >>>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> ** and in the Subject line type >>>> ** unsubscribe >>>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >>>> ** immediately-following link:- >>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>>> ** or send a message, to >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>>> >>> >>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> ** and in the Subject line type >>> ** unsubscribe >>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >>> ** immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>> ** or send a message, to >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>> >> >> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> ** and in the Subject line type >> ** unsubscribe >> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >> ** immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >> ** or send a message, to >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >> > > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] > ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > ** and in the Subject line type > ** unsubscribe > ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the > ** immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] > ** or send a message, to > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. 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