VAT on Print Work
OK, let’s get one thing straight first though, we’re not accountants. Good grief what a miserably existence that must be. Unless you are one of course and then we say, welcome venerable number cruncher, what would we do without you? Some of the most interesting people I know are accountants...
What all that previous paragraph means is this is a guide to help you understand a few of the things that could catch you out when printing, not a complete guide to the world of VAT. For full up-to-date details, talk to your printer or visit the HRMCs useful site that offers more help.
So, what print is zero VAT and what’s not.
It’s not always completely obvious. If you produce a leaflet for example, normally that would be zero rated. However, if you put something like “Get FREE entry with this coupon” on there, it will now attract VAT.
The same applies if the piece becomes a voucher of some sort. If you’re advertising a discount, that’s zero rated, if you only offer the discount on redemption of the leaflet, it’s now a voucher so theoretically attracts VAT.
Not only that, if you leave a space on a brochure to write on it, it becomes VAT-able. If you include something such as a CD in a brochure or book, the brochure/book is zero rated, the CD element may be vat-able.
Most items you’ll print will attract VAT, items such as: stationary, folders, poster, invites, tickets, badges, bags, forms, price tags, binders, book covers, stickers, coupons and postcards.
Zero rated items include: brochures, catalogue, leaflets, directories, programmes, manuals, booklets, journals, music scores, crosswords, books, and tourist guides—to name a few.
Unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be an overall rule you can use to see what’s VAT-able and what’s not. There are rules that help, such as how ephemeral the piece is. For example, a leaflet is designed to be read once or twice and disposed of, so zero VAT. But this rule doesn’t apply to books or instruction manuals, they’re not ephemeral yet are also zero VAT rated. Even the weigh of the paper stock can have an influence on a brochure or leaflet being VAT-able or not.
Because of all this complexity, some printers will just charge VAT on all jobs to make their life simple, so watch out for that one. The reality is you’ll need to talk to and then trust the printer you choose, or spend a little time checking out the details for yourself.
Granted, it’s not the most interesting of subjects, that’s true, but it could save your business a fair amount especially if you’re not VAT registered yet.
Finally, if you use your design agency to organise and manage your print requirements, check this out with them also.
By Jeff Patreane
Charity Ride - Update
It was a shame to not have a group ride, but we had great weather (unlike last year) and we saw others out there supporting the charity too...
Read More
Charity Ride
I’ve been meaning to do this themed rideout forever and finally I’ve pulled my finger out and sorted my registration for the event.
Read More
Welsh Cream Tea
In between the ever present showers we've had for summer 2020 we did a very quick photoshoot for Fabulous Welshcakes.
Read More
Case Study: Laguna Spa
Part of the Park Plaza Hotel in Cardiff, the Laguna Spa is a city centre spa with a customer centric approach to their clients.
Read More
Colours: Yellow
Once upon a time a very straight-talking individual decided he wanted all the interiors of his planes to be very ‘on-brand’.
Read More
Designers Hate...
Welcome to a new series where we pour out our somewhat obsessive overreaction to small-but-hugely-irritating design decisions.
Read More
Case Study: Acuity Law
Acuity Law is a dynamic law company, with a modern organisational structure and an agile, fluid team-centric model.
Read More
Natura Unreal
In this post I just simply wanted to share something that made me go 'wow!' check out these beautiful surrealistic pieces by Luisa Azevedo.
Read More
Digital Zombies
Are we too depenendant on our devices? Are we just 'digital zombies' constantly glued to our phones?
Read More
Visions...
When discussion with friends turns to books, when I let people know that I enjoy sci-fi novels, I get a certain look...
Read More
Designing With Purpose
One belief we’ve always held close to our heart at Caffeine is that design must not only look good, it absolutely must have purpose.
Read More
Look Big - Quick Look...
The beautiful illustration work by Jeff Östberg really caught my eye and make this a lovely book to flip through.
Read More
Brand Values
Can you remember the values your business settled on? Are they really a part of your daily life in work?
Read More
Animals of the North
A quick post to show off the lovely illustrations in the book, Wild Animals of the North.
Read More
Case Study: Firing Line
Firing Line are a regimental museum that pride themselves on engaging storytelling though their exhibits and artefacts.
Read More
Everyday Magic
A quick post for you today showing you some amazing photographs from the German photographer Lucas Zimmermann.
Read More
Case Study: Barnardo's
A third sector organisation that needs no introduction came to us frustrated at their existing external designer.
Read More
Our New Site
Typically, and this is probably true for many businesses, it took us ages to get our own new site launched. But launched it is...
Read More
Case Study: Forbes
We were approached to look at reinvigorating the brand as a whole, starting with the main element of the logo and then the supporting parts.
Read More
Case Study: FWC
Cardiff based Fabulous Welshcakes asked us to create their full brand and suuporting materials. They are our oldest client...
Read More
Attract Business
Utilise our skills and experience to help you stand out and attract business.
Read More
The Power of Colour
We are surrounded with colour. Every day our lives are enhanced by the colours of nature around us.
Read More
Just My Type
I recently had the pleasure to come across a little gem of a book dedicated to the world of typefaces.
Read More
Delicate Paper Flowers
Pretty awesome paper flower creations.
Read More
VAT on Print Work
Did you know that VAT is zero on some print items, but not others?
Read More
The Designer Says
“I want to make beautiful things even if nobody cares.”
Read More
Information Is Beautiful
The Effectiveness of Infographics
Read More
Leica M Monochrome
Take a look at this thing of beauty and tell us you don't love the magic and romance of monochrome photography...
Read More
What Makes A Designer
What makes a designer a designer? And why can't anyone do it?...
Read More
Property Releases
Something to Watch Out for...
Read More
Social Media
So, you’ve decided to do it, or it’s been foisted upon you, or you feel you have to be involved with social media because everyone else is. Now what?
Read More
Details, Details, Details
It’s a painting right? Well it take’s a little while to accept it, but it’s actually a hyper-realistic painting by the artist Jason de Graaf.
Read More
Fab Free Font
Lovely retro font from Fontfabric
Read More
Elegant Ampersands
More a Graphic Than Type.
Read More
Why-Why-Why...?
Really? Why do designers think that I want to be seen in this?
Read More
Design vs Style
Design & Style. Is There a Difference?
Read More