VAT Query - Original Bill was 17.5%

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

We have an outstanding bill -- it is really really old

It has 17.5% as the VAT amount. Do I pay it with 17.5% or 15%?

You need to still pay with the 17.5% as that was what it was when it was raised and they would have paid the 17.5% VAT

Even if was for services? It's to a building surveyor who inspected the loft conversion as as far as I can tell, it was for labor only...

Yes, If the invoice was dated before 1st dec 2008 they would have shown on their system that they charged 17.5% VAT so would then have had to declare that to HMRC.

Yep, I agree with whoops, if the invoice is for goods or services from before December then you'll have to pay it at the old VAT rate. If they invoiced in advance and the service wasn't fully complete by the end of Nov, you may be able to query it and get 2 smaller invoices, one for work up until Dec at 17.5%, and one for work from Dec onwards at 15%.

doesn;t make any differnt whether it for goods or services. Only when the service/goods were delivered. Before 1 Dec - 17.5%

Though technically they wouldn't have declared it to Vat peple yet as VAt return for last quarter of last year are only due at the end of this month but makes no difference its based on when the service was provided.