Can I Claim the VAT Back For my Riser Recliner Chair

HMRC do not offer a VAT refund service for individuals, only VAT registered company's can claim a VAT refund. When purchasing a product that is VAT exempt (zero rated) the retailer should not charge you VAT at the point of order. 

Be wary of retailers who tell you can claim the VAT back...you can't!

Are Riser Recliner Chairs VAT Exempt?

To supply and product VAT exempt, the product must have been designed specifically for a disabled person or a person with a chronic illness that requires on going treatment.

Riser Recliner Chairs are specifically designed to assist disabled users and those with ongoing ailments such as arthritis, diabetics and stroke victims ext: and are therefore classed as a mobility product and can be zero rated for VAT by HM Customs and Excise. To qualify for VAT exemption, you must complete an online VAT declaration form stating your disability or chronic illness.

What specific conditions or disabilities qualify a person for VAT exemption on Riser Recliner Chairs?

To qualify for VAT exemption, you must have a disability or chronic ilness (a long term health condition) that the item your are purchasing will aid. A short term disability such as, a broken leg for example, does not qualify for VAT exemption. Unfortunately, being elderly does not qualify for VAT exemption on its own, you must still have a chronic illness or disability to qualify. Having said that, not many people are lucky enough to get to being elderly without having some form of on-going illness or disability.

Examples of ailments that qualify for VAT releif are, heart disease, arthritis, deafness, diabetes, motor neuron disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, blindness, deafness. 

Do I need a Doctors Letter to Claim VAT Relief?

A doctor’s letter is not necessary, you do not need a doctor's letter or any other proof of disability. Many doctors’ charge for letters, up to £25.00 in some cases. The only documentation we need is a completed an online VAT exemption form, without a completed VAT Exemption Form, by law we must charge VAT on Riser Recliner Chairs.

Can I claim VAT relief on Recliner Chairs

The simple answer to this question is no! Recliner Chairs are designed for use by anyone (not specifically for disabled or chronically sick people) therefore, they cannot be zero rated for VAT.

Do Electric Recliner Chairs qualify for VAT Exemption?

Sadly, Electric Recliner Chairs also do not qualify for VAT exemption. Electric Recliner Chairs have been designed to be used by anyone. Electric Recliner Chairs that do not assist you into a standing position and therefore do not qualify for VAT relief.

Adjustable Beds

Adjustable beds must be significantly different to normal beds and must aid a disability or chronic illness to be zero rated for VAT. The grey area with adjustable beds is that, they are purchased by many people as a luxury item, that can help the user to sit up in bed to read or watch television. In this case an Adjustable Bed cannot be zero rated for VAT, however, if an Adjustable Bed will aid a chronic illness or disability it can be zero rated for VAT.

For further information please follow this link to .gov website.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-relief-on-certain-goods-if-you-have-a-disability