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Original poster

To think the government should put VAT on cake

110 replies

72hoursinaande · 06/10/2024 18:14

its a luxury to eat cake and would probably put more back into the coffers.
Slightly tongue in cheek but I thought mumsnet could use a different VAT debate.

OP posts:
Balletdreamer · 06/10/2024 22:59

God they extend the sugar tax we’ll end up with sweeteners in everything and nothing to buy except food that tastes like chemicals. I’d rather have sugar than sweeteners and I’m really pissed off the impact this stupid tax has had.

workplaceshenanigans · 06/10/2024 22:51

babyzoomer · 06/10/2024 20:43

If I bake the cake at home, do I include it in my self-assessment, or maybe I need to get VAT registered?

I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I'm afraid that if you personally eat more than £90,000 worth of cakes a year, then there will be implications.

Ursulla · 06/10/2024 22:38

They are already taxed and yet alas the DNHS continues to be shit, regardless.

mumda · 06/10/2024 22:25

Please add a sales tax to coffee and kebabs first.

Viviennemary · 06/10/2024 22:18

Only on cake served in private schools.

GingerPirate · 06/10/2024 22:17

Yes, no problem for me!
Bloody cakes, chocolate and biscuits....
😕

DontCallMeKidDontCallMeBaby · 06/10/2024 22:11

72hoursinaande · 06/10/2024 18:20

Maybe cake could fund better state education

To be fair, I remember parents sending cake in on their kids birthday. The teacher would share it out. On those days, cake did make school seem better.

GingerMaineCoon · 06/10/2024 22:08

FifiFalafel · 06/10/2024 19:48

if the item starts hard and goes soft over time, it's a biscuit

Not always.

🤣🤣🤣

JudgeJ · 06/10/2024 22:06

SnowyPetals · 06/10/2024 21:55

Just as long as they don't tax mince pies. That would be a tragedy.

Only decent ones though, not the horrible supermarket ones and Mr Ks shouldn't be allowed at all, like Class A stuff.

JudgeJ · 06/10/2024 22:01

CorbyTrouserPress · 06/10/2024 18:22

The new flavours of Jaffa cakes are horrible.

I detest how flavours are fannied around with, there are now all kinds of malt loaf, what's wrong with malt loaf flavour, ditto hot cross buns, I accidently bought chocolate flavoured hot cross buns, I could have had all sorts of others. Similarly cheese, coming Christmas not doubt there'll be mincemeat flavoured Wensleydale etc., revolting!

FloralGums · 06/10/2024 21:58

KimberleyClark · 06/10/2024 18:16

Would it apply to Jaffa cakes? Apparently the law is not clear on whether they are cakes or biscuits.

No. It’s very clear. They made a full sized one for the court case. It’s a cake, made in the same way and same ingredients as a cake.

Theunamedcat · 06/10/2024 21:58

I'm assuming the cake in the house of commons will be vat free

Lincslady53 · 06/10/2024 21:57

KimberleyClark · 06/10/2024 18:16

Would it apply to Jaffa cakes? Apparently the law is not clear on whether they are cakes or biscuits.

This has been decided in court, and they are legally chocolate covered cakes. So, no VAT.

goodluckbinbin · 06/10/2024 21:57

Sure, do it. And then maybe a sugar tax too. Better for everyone probably.

GingerMaineCoon · 06/10/2024 21:57

KimberleyClark · 06/10/2024 18:16

Would it apply to Jaffa cakes? Apparently the law is not clear on whether they are cakes or biscuits.

It's very clear - they go hard when stale so cakes. They're little cakes that live in the biscuit isle. Biscuit disguised cakes of deliciousness.

Biscuits go soft when stale

SnowyPetals · 06/10/2024 21:55

Just as long as they don't tax mince pies. That would be a tragedy.

POTC · 06/10/2024 21:55

I hate to break it to you @72hoursinaande but there is already vat on cake when sold in a cafe/coffee shop/restaurant to eat in!

Nastyaa · 06/10/2024 21:53

CraftyPlumViewer · 06/10/2024 18:18

Only when served in private schools.

This comments wins

Seasmoke · 06/10/2024 21:52

Because I'm a pathetic loser, I wrote an essay on this for my law degree 100 years ago. I think cake and biscuits should both be vatable, and none of this chocolate on top/sandwich nonsense. The whole vat system is silly and too complicated. It would also raise a lot of money.

BakedBeansforabrain · 06/10/2024 21:39

In Wales they pay more VAT than income tax and for hundreds of thousands of people it is the single biggest tax they pay.

Another76543 · 06/10/2024 21:08

There’s currently no VAT on caviar either. I can pop to Harrods, and pay no VAT on a £500 pot of caviar. However, I’d have to pay VAT if I popped to the supermarket and bought loo roll. There’s no VAT on flights, so I could pay thousands for a first class flight to Australia and pay no VAT, but I’d have to pay VAT on a bag of crisps at the airport. VAT has nothing to do with whether an item is a luxury.

PanicAttax · 06/10/2024 21:08

I was thinking they'll start to increase tax on people who have paid for private medical treatments soon...

ByMerryKoala · 06/10/2024 21:03

I think we need an exemption for strawberry tarts or I, erm, <checks notes on complaining about politics> ...I will be forced to leave the country.

noblegiraffe · 06/10/2024 21:00

Does anyone know the situation with Tunnock's teacakes? They are completely covered in chocolate but have cake in the name.

Another76543 · 06/10/2024 21:00

Nogaxeh · 06/10/2024 20:22

It's a class thing. The working class have biscuits with their tea. The upper class have cake. VAT on biscuits. Not on cake.

Show quote history

There’s no VAT on normal biscuits, only chocolate covered ones.