If you buy a flapjack* from a vending machine in the corridor at work it is VAT free. However, if you buy the same product from a machine in the staff canteen it will be standard rated.
* Of course, zero rating only applies to a “traditional” flapjack and not cereal or energy/sports nutrition bars…
Fruit pulp is zero-rated, but fruit juice is standard-rated.
The Irish Supreme Court ruled that the bread sold by the restaurant chain Subway was too sweet to be classified as bread and that the high sugar content meant that it could not be zero rated.
Toffee apples are zero-rated, however, any other fruit which is covered in sugar (or toffee) sold as confectionary is standard rated.
In the current election the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto stated that they would apply zero-rating to children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste. Whether this impacts the money left by the tooth fairy remains to be seen…
The sale of a dead horse is VAT free, but a live horse is standard-rated.
(This is not a recommended tax planning scheme).
Dead mice, rats and day-old chicks sold for feeding to exotic pets may be zero-rated.
Where goods are located in a shop can affect the VAT treatment. Nuts sold in the bakery aisle are VAT free, but those sold with snacks or confectionary are standard rated.
Size matters Part III – Bay plants are VAT free – as long as they are no bigger than 50cm and they have not been clipped or shaped.
Chestnuts roasting by an open fire…
Roasted nuts in shells are zero rated, but if the shell is removed they become standard rated.
Ho, ho ho… VAT and nuts in the same sentence. Merry Christmas everybody.