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Paying VAT? RNIB floor standing light, specifically….

R

Rosiblackburn

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello All
I have a hospital letter that confirms ‘mild diabetic retinopathy’. Is it reasonable to claim VAT exemption on purchase of a floor standing lamp from RNIB? It will enable me to do crafts in the evening. Logic says yes, but I’m a rule follower, and dithering about it - thought you guys would be the ones to ask!
 
Rosiblackburn said:
Hello All
I have a hospital letter that confirms ‘mild diabetic retinopathy’. Is it reasonable to claim VAT exemption on purchase of a floor standing lamp from RNIB? It will enable me to do crafts in the evening. Logic says yes, but I’m a rule follower, and dithering about it - thought you guys would be the ones to ask!
Click to expand...
Hi,

That’s a tricky one.

Have you been diagnosed visually impaired?

I know the background retinopathy can come & go twix scans?
 
Jaylee said:
Hi,

That’s a tricky one.

Have you been diagnosed visually impaired?

I know the background retinopathy can come & go twix scans?
Click to expand...
The letter (received today) just confirms mild diabetic retinopathy. Doesn’t say I’m visually impaired….
 
I’ve had background retinopathy for 15 years. It has never impacted my vision and therefore I don’t need any aids to help.

I would think that to reclaim the vat you would need to be visually impaired. Do RNIB have a helpline you could call for advice?
 
Rosiblackburn said:
The letter (received today) just confirms mild diabetic retinopathy. Doesn’t say I’m visually impaired….
Click to expand...
I was diagnosed with a Macula oedema over a decade ago. (Now called “Diabetic maculopathy.”)

It was treated with anti-VEGF injections. But so far in remission for the last 7 years?
With some of the work I do. Anything resembling daylight when it’s not about is a godsend..

Natural light reflects. Man made lamps intensity seems directional? (For me.) though the light will bounce off an object for the eye to make sense of..
It’s also a hassle not shadowing the job for myself on closework?

& that’s just with the back of my eyes basically swollen to distort the centre field of vision at it’s worst..?
 
RNIB do a range of lights. The one that’s eligible for VAT relief is a lot more expensive, but comes with more gadgets and buttons. I do love gadgets, but the price difference is enough that I think I’ll go for the cheaper option. That removes need to dither about VAT ‘cos the cheaper one doesn’t qualify for exemption.
 
I don’t have any eye problems but I did have a little business a good few years ago now making hand crafted cards & wedding stationery. A daylight lamp makes a massive difference when crafting even for those without any eye problems - gives true colour & no shadows. I got mine from the RNIB shop. They were cheaper there than anyway else. I passed it to my dad when he developed wet AMD & it gave him a couple more years being able to read & do his crosswords until his eye sight went almost completely
 
If you are buying a lamp specifically for use for a documented disability, then you would be able to claim VAT exemption.
If the lamp could be used by someone without the disability then you probably can’t claim VAT relief.

It gets complicated trying to determine the meaning of the legislation.

This is the relevant Government information.
www.gov.uk

Get VAT relief on certain goods if you have a disability

How to get VAT relief if you’re buying goods because of your disability.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Quote from this

“You can buy certain low vision aids VAT-free such as:

  • technical aids designed exclusively for visually impaired people to help with reading and writing”.
Note that the emphasis is on the item being designed exclusively for visually impaired people to help with reading and writing.

So, to be able to claim VAT exemption, it appears you would need to show you are visually impaired, and the lamp is an aid designed for visually impaired people.



Edit to correct errors
 
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I would call them to ask. If your retinopathy doesn't impact your day to day activities and independence, that is you can see well enough to drive, walk about without aids, etc then I doubt you'd qualify.
 
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