New VAT helpline to save charities money

Charities are to get help making sure they claim back all of the VAT they are entitled to with the launch of a new helpline this week.

UK charities pay more than the best part of a billion pounds in VAT each year, much of which they can legitimately reclaim but many find the rules too complicated and so lose out.

NCVO and accountancy firm Saffery Champness have teamed up to run a new telephone and email helpline to support and advise charities on what VAT they must pay and what they can reclaim.

The service is free to NCVO members with an income of less than £100,000. NCVO members with a greater income get the service for half price.

Standard charges for the service range from £100 to £500 a year and charities can call or email as many times as they wish during this period for advice.

Richard Williams, Director of Enterprise at NCVO, said:

"This is another valuable benefit for our members that could save them thousands, if not millions, of pounds. Britain’s VAT rules are extremely complicated meaning many charities lose vital funds because they simply don’t realise they are entitled to reclaim all or parts of some VAT payments."

Russell Moore, a partner at Saffery Champness, is one of the leading VAT advisers to charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK. He said:

"It has never been more important for charities to ensure their irrecoverable VAT is kept to the absolute minimum.

"Numerous charities and not-for-profit organisations have already materially benefitted from our specialist team’s expertise. Our new helpline service will provide a quick response to assist charities in the complexities of VAT rules and regulations."

Saffery Champness has secured VAT repayments in excess of £40 million in the last three years alone and it advised The Children's Society on its landmark VAT high court victory in 2005, which is estimated to save the voluntary sector £100 million a year.

NCVO continues to campaign for more straightforward and fair VAT rules for charities. The matter was raised with Angela Smith, Minister for the Office of the Third Sector, last month (January) at a recession summit hosted by NCVO.

• Charities wishing to find out more information and/or register for the service should email charityvat@saffery.com
• Read more about the new service