Does anyone know if you can claim VAT back on clothing purchased for under 16

[ivykaty44]

I know that clothing for under 16 isn't taxed with VAT at 20% but my dd aged 12 is 5f4" and childrens clothes without VAT do not fit her, so I have to purchase adult size clothes in size 4 or 6 and pay VAT at 20%.

This becomes expensive with swim suits - she swims and needs two three swimsuits per year (chlorine etc ruins them when swimming three four times a week) and I wondered can I claim the VAT back?

Does anyone know or can advise?

It's a perennial problem and the answer is 'no' you can't claim back VAT. Children's clothes & shoes 'stop' at a certain size and, beyond that, they're deemed to be adult clothing. Nothing you can do, I'm afraid.

thanks chili1234 even though it isn't the answer I like and the answer I thought it would be.

It is unfair though - isn't it?

It's only unfair if you happen to have bigger than average children. Then again, I know one smaller than average woman who takes advantage of the VAT difference and buys children's jeans for themselves. Cuts both ways. It would be an administrative nightmare with potential for abuse to operate some kind of VAT rebate scheme where we could claim money back for proving the shoes/clothes etc. were genuinely bought for a child.

Make sure you have checked everywhere - I found a big shoe chain did girls shoes up to a size 7 in a few styles. Lots of shops are now increasing their sizes to allow for increases in the size of the 'average' child.

M & S & Debenhams do their school ranges including tracksuits & swimsuits(I think) up to about the equivalent of a 12/14. I've bought hoodies & cotton cardigans for slobbing about in from both. In fact I had to send some back to Debs because they were too big.

Thank you for the ideas, I am able to get uniform from a local shop that onyl sell school uniform and brownie outfits etc and it is cheap as chips, so that part is ok.

It is a lot of the sports gear that is expensive, the running trainers in particular as she is in a size 39.

It was just an idea, I remember in Canada the shop assistant just used to ask was it for a dc or adult and then charge VAT accordingly - but that was back in the late 80's

and I am in the UK now in any case - so...

My DD aged 12 is also 5'4" and usually fits an adult size 6 or 8 - except for the last swimsuit she bought which was a Speedo, the age 14 girls was bigger than the 32" adult and fits her perfectly.

I agree its frustrating, but cant see how the system could change.
my DS's were is size 5 feet from age 6, now age 11 and 12 they have long been into mens clothing, including for school uniform, as they are tall, both 5 foot 8 now, and also both have size 9 feet, and still of course, growing.

I think the UK measuring system is completely crap