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.

echt

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.

High earners are far more likely to buy a higher proportion of VAT-registered items as part of their purchasing power, so - no, VAT isn't 'unfair'.

This makes me

I accept that DD1 wears ordinary adult shoes and M&S black trousers an adult might wear to work, but logged jumpers, poloshirts and sports kit?

Surely there could be a system exempting items that come from designated school shops that are embroided.

Logoed

It's also ridiculous because I can and do some times wear kids shoes, but many DCs can't.

flatpackhamster whatever higher paid people are "likely" to do is irrelevant; it's what they do that matters. just google regressive taxes if you find it so hard to fathom.

It's not fair you're right, but I've been wearing children's clothes and shoes for years.... So I suppose it all evens out in the end

Common sense would suggest that school uniform is meant for CHILDREN but when was the government ever interested in common sense?

I was speaking to my DH about this on Wednesday! My twins start HighSchool in September, one is slimmer than the other, so he had a size smaller than his brother in most of the uniform, his whole uniform was zero vat, brothers all vat added. Its school uniform FFS, who is going to buy school uniform for a adult!

echt you are mistaken if you think VAT is unfair. It is the fairest of all taxes as ALL people have to pay it depending on how they consume goods. What is not fair about that?

Lots of adults do buy school uniform for themselves, but are probably more likely to do so online than in a department store. Last time I looked on ebay seeking school dresses for my dd I was surprised at the number of school gingham dresses that came up in large sizes - for some of the dresses listed, 36inches was the smallest size and they went up to 44inches and beyond!

Nonetheless, I don't think they should have VAT on school uniform as its main purpose is for children to wear and because it's an essential for children.

The size charts in that HMRC link are fascinating but strange. I'm just on the borderline/below the 'adult' size for height and body measurement, while my 9yo dd has size 4 or 5 feet which is apparently an adult size if you buy court shoes, but not if you buy low heeled shoes with fastenings. It does seem somewhat unfair that you should be taxed more just because your dc is tall or of big build, though I suppose it's hard to think of a fairer system.

echt

flatpackhamster whatever higher paid people are "likely" to do is irrelevant; it's what they do that matters.

Fine. What higher paid people do is spend more money on VAT-registered stuff and they spend a higher proportion of their money on VAT-registered stuff.

just google regressive taxes if you find it so hard to fathom.

I understand the concept of a regressive tax. I just think you're wrong and while it's all cutesy to claim that VAT is a regressive tax, I notice that the only people claiming it are the people who can't add up.

Of course, if you can sew you can get round the VAT problem whatever your size as fabric is not VAT rated.

It's not that difficult to make a summer school dress!

I think that might be the official governmental answer.

Bit harder to make school shoes though...

SanPro still carries VAT. Gordon Brown did not remove it whatever his personal embarrassment threshold might be.

And the garment described in OP is not covered by VAT regulations as published by HMRC. One to take up with the shopkeeper who appears to be charging a higher price on an item for no good reason.

Yanbu. 13yo DS has been adult sized for a few years now and DD is one of the tallest in her class so will be VATable by senior school.

My friend is a smidge under 5ft and a size 3 shoe so always shops in children's shops for basics

Correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that Fabric for making clothes isn't zero rated for VAT. If you went to a haberdashery shop to buy it then you would have to pay VAT on it.

Even if you said that the material was for making children's clothes the retailer would have to charge you VAT.

Hmmm, what's the added value to cloth? How would they get away with that? You may be right though....

customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000138&propertyType=document

I think your shopkeeper was wrong!

Um, VAT is not a regressive tax. The more stuff you buy, the more you pay. ESPECIALLY as most of the very basics (cook at home food, children's clothing, books, houses, domestic rent, finance charges) do not attract VAT at all. So if you are rich, you buy more stuff (= more VAT) AND a higher percentage of it is standard rated for VAT so you pay a LOT more VAT. That is not regressive.