VAT on school uniforms

[vickyw11]

I've just been to buy my 10 year old DD a couple of new summer dresses. She tried one on and it was far too small so we went up a size to a 36 inch chest. The shop owner then informed me that they are subject to VAT from that size. He was very embarassed and apologetic but said it's obviously down to the government.

Why does the treasury have to make money out of us at every turn? Obviously school uniform is being worn by children and should be exempt from VAT whatever the size.

YANBU. I thought tampax tax was bad enough, but they tax school uniform too? Bastards.

probably because a 36" chest is deemed an adult size?

School uniforms and kids clothes are VAT free but thy have to have a cut off somewhere?

but doesn't the very fact that it's a school uniform tell them it's for a child Trio?? How is a school uniform a luxury good?

Write to your MP, not just on here.

Trioof, how many adults legitimately need to wear a school uniform?

He's right, after a certain size the clothes, and shoes, are classed as adult size and so taxed accordingly, which is outrageous IMO. Although I suppose they have to have a cut off somewhere otherwise some adults would claim their clothes and shoes were intended for their children.

If a decide to buy her an adult item of clothing then I accept the fact that I have to pay VAT. She can still fit into some children's clothes but school uniform, in my mind, is definately children's wear.

You are right and the government should crack down on allowing woman being able to buy Tommy Hilfiger and Polo in boys sizes without being charghed the VAT too.

It's been like it for years unfortunately. When the DSes went to secondary school we had to pay VAT on their PE kits. Their feet are massive and we have been paying it on their shoes for ages.

I get that when you buy them adult clothes you have to pay the VAT, but why on school uniforms? How many adults do you see walking around in a gingham dress and blazer, or a school PE Kit?

It's based on size for all items - the exact sizes are here

They are apparently based on the size of a 14 year old which in itself is interesting as school leaving age is 16 going to 18 soon.

You are right and the government should crack down on allowing woman being able to buy Tommy Hilfiger and Polo in boys sizes without being charged the VAT too.

Well, as (according to OddBoots HMRC link) clothes can be sold for girls up 41.5 inch chest (especially when offered for sale clearly as children's clothing, as a school uniform would be) he appears to be charging a higher price on an item when no additional VAT is payable.

Perhaps something to clarify with the shopkeeper?

That does seem ridiculous, I understand that with the way it works there does have to be a cut off point - but if education is compulsory up to 16 or 18 then school uniforms shouldn't be counted as adult clothing in any size IMO.

Hmmm...HMRC need to give guidance to shopkeepers BUT they are wrong here. VAT is not (legally) levied on clothing "designed" for children. School uniform is obviously designed for children and so should be zero-rated (no VAT). Yes, write to your MP or to HMRC about their blanket application of the law via their table in a way that clearly gets it wrong in this particular instance. I can see why HMRC have their table btw as otherwise there would be no end of arguments, but school uniform is a special case.

I think school uniforms should be zero rated whatever the size. This should be taken up by some campaigner type person.

Why are kids clothes exempt VAT in the first place. I suppose after all the pasty tax moaning no chance of that loophole being closed now?

VAT is an unfair tax anyway.

I seem to remember paying VAT on having my drains jetted to clear a blockage (real luxury item ) and also VAT on having my boiler serviced. Again, what a decadent luxury that was.

VAT is about the most fair of all taxes their is. you only pay it if you consume a lot and those who consume more pay more tax. If fact if we had a flat rate income tax an VAT/sales tax on all things then we´d have a wonderfully fair tax system.

I thought tampax tax was bad enough

But it hasn't existed for years, Gordon Brown removed it in his first budget - but was too embarassed to put it in his speech.

I undrstood that due to 'EU regulations' they couldn't scrap VAT once it had been imposed, so they had reduced the tampon tax to 5%, like they did with gas and electricity?

Maybe Anita - damn now I have to find out.

Bows to Anita - yes 5%

VAT is an unfair tax because it is regressive; it affects low earners more than high earners as it takes up more of their money.

When you have to pay VAT on school shoes meant for an 8yo boy DS1 and his lovely 'clown' feet, it gets a bit ridiculous though.

DS1 has always had big feet - he measured as a baby size 2 the day he was born - none of the newborn or 0-2.5 socks I had for him fitted! I had to send Ex-H to the shop to buy socks so that I could dress him to take him home.

And his feet have just kept on growing from there. At 4.9yo when he started Reception he was in a size 11 children's shoe.

Now his shoe size matches his school year - at age 10, in Y5, he is a size 5 the same as me and 14yo DD.

I really begrudge the fact that I have had to pay VAT on his shoes since he was 8yo.