MAKRO - What do I pay VAT on?

[Lucycat]

I'm stupidly excited as my Makro card has come through for me to buy all the stuff for the school's PA events, but looking at their online catalogue I don't know what has to have VAT added on and what doesn't.

Do I have to add 17.5% onto their boxes of sweets?
How about tea and coffee?
Paper plates etc?

It's making my head hurt so any hints / advice most gratefully recieved!

back soon just taking dd2 to hair her hair cut - wish me luck I'll need it

When you go it does say on the shelf labels. Most consumables don't have vat.
I went last week to buy all the sweets and food for our summer fete. I think you might have to on sweets.

VAT is on luxuries, so not on general fruit/veg/meat and dairy but will be on chocolate and sweets.
Tea, coffee and cocoa will be zero rated normally.

If you are really, really, truly interested, have a look here but be warned, it is very dull!

Thanks for your replies - it makes it difficult to budget before I go if I don't know exactly what I'm spending iykwim.

So you get the unenviable task too then tegan?

do you pay vat on juice?

I think it tells you in the Makro mail "excludes 17.5% VAT" in small print next to the price where it is applicable and says nothing where it is not

jelly, I am pretty sure you don't, but can't remember 100%!

I don't know if they still do them, but a while ago they were giving out a credit card sized 'ready reckoner' to help you work out the VAT - very useful to have in your purse.
btw, our Makro (Reading) won't allow bags bigger than 30 cm in the store - you have to hand it in & last time I went, it just sat on the floor - no locker or any apparent security apart from a lottery ticket. So take a small handbag or be prepared to cart all your valuables around in your hands.

The way we work out VAT quickly is to work out 10%, half it (5%) and half it again (2.5%) then add tham all up.

or even halve it...