VAT Relief

What is VAT Exemption / Relief?

Essentially this allows chronically sick or disabled people to buy eligible items at 0% rather than 20% VAT - thus saving them a significant amount of money. It is normally far easier to claim this exemption when buying online. Online shops, like ourselves, are set up to allow you to answer simple questions, in the comfort of your own home.

Who is eligible for VAT relief?

To be eligible for VAT relief the government says you have to fit the following criteria:

• Charities: simply provide your charity number and complete the online declaration.
• Individuals: A person who is 'chronically sick or disabled' if he/she is a person: With a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect upon his/her ability to carry out everyday activities; with a condition which the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, such as diabetes; or Who is terminally ill.
• Important Note: It does NOT include a frail elderly person who is otherwise able bodied or any person who is only temporarily disabled or incapacitated, such as with a broken limb.

Which Items are eligible?

VAT on an eligible purchase, the government requires a simple declaration to be made as to the nature of your disability at the time of ordering. No proof of your disability need be shown to any party at any time.

It’s very easy to claim VAT relief, all we need to know is the name, address & disability of the person the item is for & what their chronic sickness or disability is. We don't need a doctor's letter or any reference numbers. The above information can be provided during the online checkout or if you order by phone or post we will send you a form & a free post return envelope asking you for the above information. All this information is collected over our secure connection and we keep it completely confidential.

VAT Exemption only applies to certain items; these are items which have been designed to be used by someone who is chronically sick or disabled.

Examples of such products are Bath Aids, Bath Lifts, Hospital Bed Mattresses, Mobility Aids, Toileting Aids, Wheelchairs & many more daily living aids and care equipment. If an item is displayed as 'Available VAT Exemption' or the price is shown "with VAT Relief" on our site, and you are eligible (as above) then you are entitled to buy these products with VAT free Relief. 0% Rated for VAT.

However, this relief does not apply to any supplies made to or for the NHS or non-charitable nursing homes and hospitals or other similar institutions.

Things to Remember We do NOT decide if an item is or isn't exempt and we don't make any more or less money if we charge you VAT or if we don't charge you VAT. If you do not complete the VAT exemption form, or you are not eligible for VAT relief, we are obliged to charge you the full prevailing VAT on the whole of your order. Not all products are eligible for VAT relief, so we are obliged to charge VAT at the prevailing rate for those products that are not VAT exempt, even after you complete this form. Click the link below to visit the Government page on VAT for disabled people section. That also has links to other financial help if you are disabled.

This means that the original intention of the product’s designer was to produce an appliance or equipment solely to meet the needs of people with one or more disability.

You cannot buy goods that are designed for use by disabled and non-disabled people alike VAT-free. Goods that are bought to be used by or that are mainly bought by disabled people cannot be bought without VAT purposes unless they’re designed solely for use by disabled people. For example, general purpose equipment such as a laptop, an air conditioning device, a reclining chair or an adjustable bed might benefit a disabled person but cannot be bought VAT-free because they’re not designed solely for use by a disabled person.

Our furniture section and some other items like adjustable beds, overbed tables are charged with VAT as they are designed for use by disabled and non disabled individuals. Please contact Care Outlet on 0800 112 3377 for more information.

Please see information and guidance on VAT free status of deliveries. Please contact us if you have more queries on if you qualify for VAT purposes. We understand the ability to carry out everyday activities is subjective and ultimately it boils down to physical or mental impairment.

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-postage-delivery-and-direct-marketing-notice-70024

If you are disabled or chronically sick, you may well be eligible for VAT relief. As you browse this shop, you will see that most disability aids can be bought without VAT being added so long as you are, or the person you are buying for is eligible or has the ability to carry out normal activities.

In all cases of dispute the law which is applied is that of England.

Please also view further specific conditions relating to our Returns Policy and Delivery information

This website is owned and operated by Care Outlet Ltd. If you have any suggestions or comments or if you need to contact us, please email us using the Contact link on any shop page or use the details below.

Should you have a complaint, please call our Customer Care team to discuss in the first instance. If you are not satisfied, then please send and include the word "Complaint" in the Subject line. That will then be dealt with by a Senior Manager and escalated to a Director if necessary. If VAT related, let us know if you qualify for vat.