Durham cathedral tax ruling may bring charity VAT relief | David Brindle

A recent ruling that maintenance repairs were eligible for tax relief from HMRC may save charities millions in VAT – especially after Brexit

Charities are not holding their breath for any big concessions in the forthcoming budget. But an obscure ruling on tax liability on repairs to one of Britain’s most historic and picturesque bridges could turn out to be a gamechanger in the voluntary sector’s long-running campaign for greater VAT relief.

Experts believe charities may benefit from a decision by a tax tribunal to allow Durham cathedral, an “ecclesiastical corporation” with the same tax status as a charity, to reclaim the bulk of the £6,720.25 it paid in VAT when it carried out minor works on Prebends Bridge, which spans the river Wear in Durham.

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from Voluntary Sector Network | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2mZW8jc