VAT on sanitary items

[nailak]

I have vaguely heard a debate about this, can someone explain this issue to me please?

i would like to know what the equivalent is that caters for men, and they dont have to pay VAT,

sorry if i sound clueless, it is because i am. but i want to learn

what is the rationale for putting vat on stuff, which things have it and which don't?

i dont know? thats what im asking!!!!

Okay, the rationale tends to go like this: basic things that you have to buy which are not luxuries but staples (e.g. bread, milk) do not get VAT rated. Plain biscuits for example are not vat-able but chocolate ones are. Ergo, the govt things sanpro is optional or a luxury and yes I guess we could stuff our gussets with leaves but it's a very outmoded way of thinking.

But it is charged at the reduced rate of 5% rather than 20% (see here )

It's especially irksome because incontinence pads can be zero rated so pee on it - no VAT, bleed on it the govt wants 5%.

so is that good enough?

mens shaving foam? being the equivalent?

i 'fell out' with Claire Rayner ('agony aunt') when the notion of VAT on sanitary products was 1st aired.

someone asked her to join the campaign against it, as it was a stealth tax on women - she refused, said if men had to pay VAT on razors then women should pay on tampons etc.

when a TV interviewer (i wish i could remember who) said 'but men can grow beards' she shrugged her shoulders and did the 'meh' face.

so what is their justification?

What wmmc said.

Leaves.

Yes.

Oh GRIEF not sexually, obv.

Chrissakes.

And it's fri night.

She is dead, so probably not so bothered....

bit difficult, Sardine, not sure she's in the mood any more

lol i think you should move to the friday night thread.

this is a :l thread.

so men pay vat on razors but not shaving foam scratch

is there vat on moon cups?

Yea there us

Tbh i had a look at hm treasury, a lot of it seems weird and arbitrary, gambling for example is exempt

Good grief

That should have been yes there is

have another its friday

One of the few things they got right was Jaffa Cakes.

What? There's no VAT on jaffa cakes?

Well, they're therapy atm...

But yes. Leaves. Knowing me, I'd end up plucking a load of poison ivy...

It's us... How DARE we decide to have periods... Cheeky feckers that us women are...