Allow a play date where mum unapologetically supports children’s education tax

[GigglyOrange]

Just this really, our local independent prep school closed due to the education tax earlier this year and has caused absolute chaos for lots of families, including my own. My dd (6) has been invited for a play date with a girl she seems very friendly with and who seems very sweet, but I’ve since found out from another parent that the mum is an ‘unapologetic education taxer’. My instinct is to cancel the play date, AIBU?

Children don’t pay tax though, so your post makes no sense.

@GigglyOrange please can you explain this? I really would like to know why you think this.

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It’s only a Google away

‘ Private Schools (Independent Education)

The 20% Rule: All education, vocational training, and boarding services provided for a charge by private schools are subject to the 20% VAT standard rate.

Related Services: While tuition incurs VAT, the government clarified that certain goods and services "closely related" to education—such as daily meals, textbooks, and school transport—may largely remain exempt.

Official Guidance: You can review the full GOV.UK VAT on Education Guidance to see how this affects specific school fees, services, or vocational training’

You see
many non educational aspects in Indis are exempt
Tuition in all forms is taxed
Tuition = education

The OP is probably some Telegraph columnist practising for the next rage bait article.

On the same lines as the recent masterpiece from someone complaining about paying extra council tax on a second home because they "only inherited it".

It should be self-evident that the VAT issue is one on which people might reasonably disagree - it's hardly on a par with supporting Nazism.

Welcome to the club.

Private schools can reclaim VAT. Because they now charge VAT on tuition fees, they are eligible to recover the VAT they pay on their business expenses, such as textbooks, IT equipment, and operational costs. They can also potentially recover VAT on large capital projects and building works.

Private schools who've closed down clearly were already struggling and have used this as an excuse.

No, lots reduced their fees so the children only paid 10-15% more including education tax.

You wouldn’t expect anyone to cover your mortgage but if the government put an additional 20% on your mortgage then you’re looking at a lot of insolvencies.

Exactly communism doesn’t work, we have proof.

If you mean VAT on school fees then say it - it’s not an ‘education tax’, it’s VAT which is generally payable on luxuries

This is true, large schools with massive capital projects are absolutely fine. They can claim back 5 years I believe as well?

Its mainly the smaller schools closing.

Says a lot about the mindset of private educators doesn’t it? I only want my child to kid with a certain sort.

Having a different opinion to you doesn’t make her stupid.

You have posted the same link as before, so I will quote from the link, as I did before.

"Education provided for no charge
If the education is being provided for no charge (for example, local authority maintained schools, city technology colleges, sixth form colleges, academies and free schools, see paragraph 3.2). The VAT consequences are that this is not ‘in business’ for VAT purposes (see section 3) and:

• the education provided is outside the scope of VAT
• any closely related goods or services provided, at or below cost, are outside the scope of VAT
• the sales of other goods or services are taxed in the normal way"

It is VAT charged for services paid for. It is not an "education tax" as you make out.

And see this bit :

"Goods or services supplied for the direct use of pupils, students or trainees that are necessary for the delivery of the education provided by a private school or connected person will still be VAT exempt (see section 8)."

No child is having to pay an "education tax". It is VAT paid on business services that a business must pay if they are charging for their services.

Are there actually many private vocational training colleges? What would that look like?
I get a lot of spam from a business who really want DD to do an eye-wateringly expensive medical training short course, is that the sort of thing?

1. It isn't an education tax
2. Why on earth shouldn't private businesses be taxed?

I say this as someone whose two children are in independent schools and who teaches in one (username clue).

I, and everyone in my department, fully support this tax. Private schools are NOT charities.

I don’t consider children’s education a luxury, It’s not the middle ages.

Paid for education is a luxury. We are all paying tax towards state education.

It’s really not rare. Some of the most left wing people I know are also the most privileged, and recognise the unfairness of the system that put them where they are in life. I’m also a high rate taxpayer and fully support the VAT.

You do realise that only 7% of children are privately educated, don't you?

You do realise that there is something called state education, don't you?

Cancel it 😂

I voted that YABU simply for allowing your child to mix with state school proles in the first place..

Paid for education seem very Middle Ages like.

Cheers, I asked because it just sounds so mad and having read the most of the OP's comments now I think I was on the right track. Reads like a load of contrived nonsense posted to gain attention

You might have a point if there wasn’t a state funded education available for ALL children. But there is, so you don’t.

If you choose to pay for private education, and all the advantages that brings, you should be paying VAT on it as it is a luxury. The luxury isn’t the education, it’s the private venue with its smaller class sizes, more and better facilities etc.

I don’t know how many times I have to explain this.

1. it is a tax on education and vocational training services provided to children
2. private businesses should be taxed and are. Children’s education tax shouldn’t be taxed, Canada, US, 28 EU member states, Australia, Singapore, Norway etc agree with me in this. Basically every other country
3. Just to make point 1& 2 clearer, this is not a tax on businesses it’s on children’s education
4. it has nothing to do with charitable status 5)How can you work in an independent school and not know the basics ?