New Motorhome Zero Rated VAT Relief Rules For Disabled. (1 Viewer)

Jim

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Just found this. The NCC, the trade body representing the UK's leisure vehicle industry, has welcomed new HMRC rules on VAT relief available on motorhomes adapted for disabled wheelchair users, which came into force this month.
 

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TheBig1

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somewhat annoying that the limit of one vehicle every three years has been introduced. a motorhome is rarely a primary source of transport. therefore you will be left able to change motorhome and car each at 6 years old. if the disability increases necessitating replacing the car with a drive from wheelchair vehicle or a wheelchair transporter within the limit, then the disabled person will be left without suitable transport for years
 

Mousy

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Does anyone know what the "substantial and permanent adaptations" would involve?

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Ivory55

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somewhat annoying that the limit of one vehicle every three years has been introduced. a motorhome is rarely a primary source of transport. therefore you will be left able to change motorhome and car each at 6 years old. if the disability increases necessitating replacing the car with a drive from wheelchair vehicle or a wheelchair transporter within the limit, then the disabled person will be left without suitable transport for years
Probably as in everything a few people tear the a--e out of it and spoil it for all, but that is the way it goes.
 

TheBig1

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Does anyone know what the "substantial and permanent adaptations" would involve?
something bolted to the vehicle. for instance a set of hand controls or a mounting plate for clamping a wheelchair. the simplest adaption is a steering wheel ball
 

Theonlysue

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Not long enough!
There wasn't a minimum period to keep a vat free vehicle, so I'm sure some abused the system.
 

stewartwebr

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I'm really going to stick my neck on the block here. Why should a motorhome be VAT free? I fully understand and support the necessity for a car as a means of transport. However, a motorhome is a lifestyle choice and by no means a necessity so why should it be subsidised?

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TheBig1

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I'm really going to stick my neck on the block here. Why should a motorhome be VAT free? I fully understand and support the necessity for a car as a means of transport. However, a motorhome is a lifestyle choice and by no means a necessity so why should it be subsidised?
some disabled people need the facilities of a motorhome to travel

everything from a bed to a toilet and shower

you dont see those in cars
 

Puddleduck

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A van with wheelchair hoist plus loo and shower could be very useful for me in the future ...... add somewhere to make a quick snack and somewhere to have a snooze and it's an adapted motorhome.

There are a number of people who are afraid to leave home in case they get "caught short" as a result of disability - to be able to have a vehicle fitted with loo and shower could mean at least some freedom for them.
 

Geo

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Some dealers have been overheard promoting such fraud to up their sales
Any dealer playing naughty games will have to pay the VAT if the customer gets caught and wont
 

joka250

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Agree totally with @TheBig1 and @Puddleduck . As a result of medication I take I need the loo every 10 or so minutes first thing and for up to 3 hours on a bad day, only a motorhome can serve that need (or stay at home) and I feel fortunate compared with many. So for many with complex needs a motorhome is a perfect choice.
 

Gorse Hill

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I'm really going to stick my neck on the block here. Why should a motorhome be VAT free? I fully understand and support the necessity for a car as a means of transport. However, a motorhome is a lifestyle choice and by no means a necessity so why should it be subsidised?
I think I read somewhere a boat can also be VAT free, however disabled people have very few life style choices due to there disabilities

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DuxDeluxe

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I think I read somewhere a boat can also be VAT free, however disabled people have very few life style choices due to there disabilities
There are some wonderful disability friendly sailing boats, including those used in the paralympics. I tried one once (sit in seat and hand controls etc) Bloody hard to sail fast. Never knew that they would be VAT free
 

stewartwebr

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Please do not think I am in anyway being disrespectful to anyone with mobility needs. I fully appreciate how challenging even the simplest of daily activities can be. However....and there is always a however, accepting that a motorhome fits the needs of an individual better than a car should we in the interest of the nations purse limit the amount of items one individual can have VAT free. If a motorhome fills the needs then surely there is no need to benefit from a VAT free car, as for VAT free boats, that does not sound right in my mind.
 
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as for VAT free boats, that does not sound right in my mind.
Slightly O/T but a layabout distant cousin lived in a 'community' of 4 other Rastafarians on a rented old boat in Brighton marina and the DSS paid the mooring fee (as 'Housing Benefit' I was told) of several thousand pounds p.a. ( ISTR it was £6,200 p.a.). I wonder if that housing benefit could also be claimed by a disabled person living full time in a m/home?

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Peter JohnsCross MH

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It does have to be a substantial adaption, a steering ball on the steering wheel is definately not sufficient.

Too many people were abusing the VAT relief including some dealers

I do agree that disabled people should get this facility as it does enable them to bet out of the house safely, enjoy the outdoor life with the comforts of home, shower and especially toilet close to hand

Peter
 

TheBig1

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It does have to be a substantial adaption, a steering ball on the steering wheel is definately not sufficient.

Too many people were abusing the VAT relief including some dealers

I do agree that disabled people should get this facility as it does enable them to bet out of the house safely, enjoy the outdoor life with the comforts of home, shower and especially toilet close to hand

Peter
I beg to differ about the steering ball not being accepted. somewhere here I have a written reply from hmrc where i asked, if combined with ramps for an electric wheelchair, if a steering ball would be classed as a substantial adaption. In short, their reply was that so long as the steering aid was bolted on to the wheel and not removable by a clip, then yes it was sufficient

what many folk don't seem to know is that if a vehicle is zero rated for vat due to disability, then any servicing on that vehicle should also be zero rated (exempt) for vat too
 

TheBig1

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It does have to be a substantial adaption, a steering ball on the steering wheel is definately not sufficient.

Too many people were abusing the VAT relief including some dealers

I do agree that disabled people should get this facility as it does enable them to bet out of the house safely, enjoy the outdoor life with the comforts of home, shower and especially toilet close to hand

Peter
I beg to differ about the steering ball not being accepted. somewhere here I have a written reply from hmrc where i asked, if combined with ramps for an electric wheelchair, if a steering ball would be classed as a substantial adaption. In short, their reply was that so long as the steering aid was bolted on to the wheel and not removable by a clip, then yes it was sufficient

what many folk don't seem to know is that if a vehicle is zero rated for vat due to disability, then any servicing on that vehicle should also be zero rated (exempt) for vat too

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TheBig1

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It does have to be a substantial adaption, a steering ball on the steering wheel is definately not sufficient.

Too many people were abusing the VAT relief including some dealers

I do agree that disabled people should get this facility as it does enable them to bet out of the house safely, enjoy the outdoor life with the comforts of home, shower and especially toilet close to hand

Peter
I beg to differ about the steering ball not being accepted. somewhere here I have a written reply from hmrc where i asked, if combined with ramps for an electric wheelchair, if a steering ball would be classed as a substantial adaption. In short, their reply was that so long as the steering aid was bolted on to the wheel and not removable by a clip, then yes it was sufficient

what many folk don't seem to know is that if a vehicle is zero rated for vat due to disability, then any servicing on that vehicle should also be zero rated (exempt) for vat too
 
Dec 24, 2014
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I beg to differ about the steering ball not being accepted. somewhere here I have a written reply from hmrc where i asked, if combined with ramps for an electric wheelchair, if a steering ball would be classed as a substantial adaption. In short, their reply was that so long as the steering aid was bolted on to the wheel and not removable by a clip, then yes it was sufficient
As a result of a m/bike collision (not my fault) I only have use of my left arm. It doesn't qualify me to be registered as disabled or receive any benefits but I must have an automatic and a Lodgeson 10-way steering ball with secondary control switches (indicators, dip, wipers, horn etc.). The adaptation, at my cost(£1200), is fitted by use of a spanner (not a clip) and was VAT exempt but my car wasn't, (neither were both of my new and adapted motorbikes:xwink:)

A real benefit of the m/home (bought s/h with terrific understanding and help from the folk at Johns Cross) is that I can drive anywhere on holiday (mostly 'over there') fully self-contained, whereas automatic and adapted vehicles of any type are not available. A Win/Win situation!
 
Feb 22, 2014
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We looked into buying a new motorhome and having it adapted......the VAT saving would pay for the widening of the door and part of the hoist. The rest, a revamp of the interior to include a wet room. So basically, even without VAT the cost of an Konleaki came out at £97,500. So all of you who are not disabled and don't need these adaptations should think yourselves lucky! ......

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Oct 18, 2014
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Enables me to travel with my family locally and on our hols. Wheelchair on board plus loo, shower, food and all those other things you need to leave a car and use a wheelchair to get to. The wider access door makes a ‘huge’ difference. After adapting my I don’t see myself in pocket but I see independence! and the ability to share experiences with family.
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

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I beg to differ about the steering ball not being accepted. somewhere here I have a written reply from hmrc where i asked, if combined with ramps for an electric wheelchair, if a steering ball would be classed as a substantial adaption. In short, their reply was that so long as the steering aid was bolted on to the wheel and not removable by a clip, then yes it was sufficient

what many folk don't seem to know is that if a vehicle is zero rated for vat due to disability, then any servicing on that vehicle should also be zero rated (exempt) for vat too
if combined with ramps for an electric wheelchair,

Built in extendadble ramps are a substantial conversion

What buyers do not apreciate is that we would be liable for penalties and unpaid VAT if the transacton is not totally 100% correct and the paperwork and possible agravation now on a standard build motorhome ...................................
 

bigtwin

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....... accepting that a motorhome fits the needs of an individual better than a car should we in the interest of the nations purse limit the amount of items one individual can have VAT free.

Why?

If a motorhome fills the needs then surely there is no need to benefit from a VAT free car,

I don’t know your circumstances, but does your motorhome fulfil all of your transport needs? You seem to be implying that those with a disability get too many benefits. As has been pointed out elsewhere on this thread, there can be additional costs incurred involved with adaptations.
VAT relief on transport for the disabled doesn’t strike me as pushing the boat out that far.

Ian
 

Spud312R

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I'm in a situation right now that my disabled wife has had her full left leg amputated (hind quater) 4 years ago due to a blood clot in her hip, which has taken all her independance away from her, she is permantly wheelchair bound, has RA so cant transfer easily to a car toilet/seat etc

We are now using my private pension (i'm 60) to purchase a new Van with adapted wheelchair ramp at the back for local travel and medical appointments etc.

Also as she hasnt had a holiday for over 4 years and cant fly due to blood clot and toilet access, we are now looking at a american RV with slideouts that will be fitted with wheelchair lift, wetroom and hoist track in ceiling

I am now asking hmrc if we can get vat relief on both vehicles due to my wifes complex disabilities , even though they state only 1 in 3 years , else we will have to chose 1 vehicle and i cant see a 34ft RV being allowed in tesco's carpark or local hospital one either...

So i'm hoping HMRC will have some common sense and allow us to have both vehicles for local and holidays etc..
 

TheBig1

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You can only get vat relief on one brand new vehicle at a time (3 year rule) but you can claim vat relief on any adaptions to a second vehicle and work to maintain those adaptions

It may have been better for you to buy a used wheelchair accessible van and the vat relief taken off the more expensive adapted RV

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Spud312R

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You can only get vat relief on one brand new vehicle at a time (3 year rule) but you can claim vat relief on any adaptions to a second vehicle and work to maintain those adaptions

It may have been better for you to buy a used wheelchair accessible van and the vat relief taken off the more expensive adapted RV


Yep thats what i may well do fella , as the vat relief on the RV could pay for the adaptions
 

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