VAT Exemption on meters / strips etc

That's exactly how it works.

You are entitled to have the VAT removed at point of sale. You just fill in the form before you go and get them to remove the VAT. Many Chemist and staff don't seem to know about this so you may have to explain it to them. Don't accept it if they tell you you can't have it removed. It is a right for ALL Diabetic's. The link you provided explains it all.

I have done this many times. If you haven't got the form with you then the Chemist may ask you to sign a similar declaration.......others may tell you you cannot. They are wrong.....enlighten them !
If the Pharmacist knows his/her stuff......there shouldn't be a problem.

Let us know if you have any problems.

I never knew this I though srips and meters had no VAT added that is a disgrace that VAT is added in the first place :evil:

Hi Louise.
The thing is that ANYBODY can purchase a meter/strips........you do not need to be a Diabetic to have one. So the Govt wants some money off you......as they do ! :roll:

The exemption only applies to a Diabetic person, but I agree with you, it is a medical device and really should be VAT free (Zero rated) from the off. I doubt they will do that though. :|

what confuses me is why would anybody without diabetes puchase a meter? its insaine but as you say thats the government for you trying to get more money off you so if your a diabetic like who didnt realise this you would have continued to pay the VAT and been none the wiser.
at least I have learnt something which I atmit I nearly always do everytime I visit this forum

Spot on !

You are making a declaration and Customs & Excise may follow it up ........it is a Criminal Offence to obtain what is known as a Pecuniary Advantage by Deception.

Claiming an Exemption when not entitled to it would be proof of that offence.

Hi everyone,

It's actually not as easy as you might think. When I was having to buy my own strips, meter etc, I went to Boots with a form and they point blank refused to deal with it. The pharmacist got involved and tried to ring Head Office, but they didn't answer the phone. After 45 minutes!! of hanging around in the shop (and my partner getting very grumpy - he hates shopping at the best of times :lol I had to give up and pay the VAT. The pharmacist took my number and phoned a few days later to say she'd checked with Head Office and their rule is that unless you have adoctor's letter saying you're diabetic, they will not exempt the VAT as they have a legal duty to ensure VAT is collected properly. I explained that the legal duty was on me to tell the truth and if I lied it was me committing an offence not them, but they were having none of it. I emailed their Head Office - no reply. I had the same issue trying to buy stuff on their web site - there is nowhere on there you can get your VAT taken off, so I rang them - half hour on the phone and still got nowhere. Personally, I stopped using Boots and started using Westons on-line chemist who have an on-line form you can fill in and they deduct the VAT at point of purchase. Fortunately for me (depending on how you look at it!) my condition changed and I now get my testing stuff on prescription. I guess I should have continued fighting Boots for everyone else's benefit, but at the time, I was ill, worried and didn't have the energy for the fight. They had about £10 off me in VAT that they shouldn't have taken! So, be very wary of Boots!

Maybe someone on the forum would like to give Boots Head Office a call and see if you can get any more sense out of them than I did - their shop staff were polite and helpful, but are ill-informed on this matter and even the pharmacists are not trained about this. The company policy seems to be at odds with tax laws in this area - and as they are the largest chemist in the country, I find it pretty disgraceful.

Smidge

Smidge.
It is sometimes difficult for people to get the VAT removed. That's why it pays to go to one Chemist where they know you and will probably know that you are a Diabetic, if you can.

Customs & Excise tell the suppliers this in the guidance notes :

As a supplier you must take reasonable steps to check that your customer is eligible to receive your goods or services at the zero rate.

Click to expand...

Now to some suppliers that could mean asking for proof that you are a Diabetic, possibly a Dr's letter, especially if you take no medication. They will only have your word for it otherwise. Once they are satisfied that you are eligible then you can sign the declaration. Vat removed.

So I don't think it is unreasonable if they don't know you for them to ask for some proof that you actually are a Diabetic. Every Chemist may have their own policy and may interpret the wording differently. That is their choice.

2nd option is find your local vat office (Customs & Excise)

Then armed with your original receipt /invoice not a copy ,also some proof of Disability

ask to make a disability claim for refund of vat

I did this for some wheelchair replacement parts
in my electric wheelchair at the time so did not ask me for any proof of Disability

Can take around 30 days for refund to come via post


Worth a try if its a large amount


Bob

The new strips that people seem to be excited about because they are only £5 for a box of fifty, seem to be VAT exempt. You just need to tick the box that says you are diabetic.

I'm interested to know if other things qualify for the discount. Statins, ketostix etc.
Anyone know?

Hi
As a type 1, I have benefited from VAT exemption for many years, as I live in Wales my prescriptions are free anyway, and with 25 repeat items each month I am glad of this.
My point is if you have to pay for meters and strips go direct to the manufacturer they know about VAT exemptions, also they will provide free meters, and replacements, plus batteries. Do not get conned, B**ts know full well about VAT exemptions as with everything if they can get away with it they will charge you

Hi. Many web online suppliers provide a tick-box at checkout for you to confirm you are diabetic and then the strips are VAT free.

I have just been reading through the msgs and don't think I have missed the following. Those who do not have medication do not have anything tangent to show in B**ts but those on medication all have (as far as I know) repeat prescription lists to tick before submitting to GPs, these usually have info on them that would ID an individual by name, address, medication and the last date those meds were prescribed. Surely that in itself is enough to prove that an individual would be entitle to VAT free strips. After all, the VAT form would be completed with same name, address and their signiture. Hardly likely to go to this trouble if not being dead honest with them and entitled.
Have yet to purchase strips myself, (using VAT form) still not been suggested to test. With the aid of one metformin each morning seems BG stays around the same each reading taken by surgery. If I want to improve on this and get it down to really good level more normal shall we say (should that ever be possible) could not do it without testing.
Unless I get the strips cheaper (say using the form) then I probably will not purchase them any longer, being a pensioner has its drawbacks (tax would pay for approx 4 packs of strips) food, heating, lighting take priority. I think the interest is more on tax collection than giving with regard to diabetics :x

What about "pre-diabetics"? Are they considered diabetic for the purposes of this exemption? They are using the strips for diabetic-related purposes.

I tried to get the VAT off this morning when I went to collect new glasses as my eyes are deteriorating and I am 75 years old. Vision Express said they did not know about this VAT off for diabetics and disabled. I had taken the form with me so they said they would scan it and speak to the shop manager who was not available at thast time. I am now awaiting a phone call from them. Will post when I get some more information from them.

I know this is an old thread but I have just had to change my glasses and the vat is ridiculous I wondered whether any one has tried to get VAT back because they have DB and some slight changes in there eyes because of this
CAROL