Finance Act 2001

Value added taxU.K.

96 VAT: children’s car seatsU.K.

(1)In paragraph 1 of Schedule A1 to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) (supplies benefiting from 5% reduced rate), after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(5)The supplies falling within this paragraph also include supplies of children’s car seats.”

(2)After paragraph 6 of that Schedule insert—

7(1)Paragraph 1(5) above is interpreted in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.

(2)The following are “children’s car seats”—

(a)a safety seat;

(b)the combination of a safety seat and a related wheeled framework;

(c)a booster seat;

(d)a booster cushion.

(3)In this paragraph “safety seat” means a seat—

(a)designed to be sat in by a child in a road vehicle,

(b)designed so that, when in use in a road vehicle, it can be restrained—

(i)by a seat belt fitted in the vehicle, or

(ii)by belts, or anchorages, that form part of the seat being attached to the vehicle, or

(iii)in either of those ways, and

(c)incorporating an integral harness, or integral impact shield, for restraining a child seated in it.

(4)For the purposes of this paragraph, a wheeled framework is “related” to a safety seat if the framework and the seat are each designed so that—

(a)when the seat is not in use in a road vehicle it can be attached to the framework, and

(b)when the seat is so attached, the combination of the seat and the framework can be used as a child’s pushchair.

(5)In this paragraph “booster seat” means a seat designed—

(a)to be sat in by a child in a road vehicle, and

(b)so that, when in use in a road vehicle, it and a child seated in it can be restrained by a seat belt fitted in the vehicle.

(6)In this paragraph “booster cushion” means a cushion designed—

(a)to be sat on by a child in a road vehicle, and

(b)so that a child seated on it can be restrained by a seat belt fitted in the vehicle.

(7)In this paragraph “child” means a person aged under 14 years.”.

(3)The amendments made by this section have effect in relation to supplies made after the day on which this Act is passed.

97 VAT: residential conversions and renovationsU.K.

(1)In paragraph 1 of Schedule A1 to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) (supplies benefiting from 5% reduced rate), after sub-paragraph (5) (which is inserted by section 96 of this Act) insert—

“(6)The supplies falling within this paragraph also include—

(a)the supply, in the course of a qualifying conversion, of qualifying services related to the conversion;

(b)the supply of building materials if—

(i)the materials are supplied by a person who, in the course of a qualifying conversion, is supplying qualifying services related to the conversion, and

(ii)those services include the incorporation of the materials in the building concerned or its immediate site.

(7)The supplies falling within this paragraph also include—

(a)the supply, in the course of the renovation or alteration of a single household dwelling, of qualifying services related to the renovation or alteration;

(b)the supply of building materials if—

(i)the materials are supplied by a person who, in the course of the renovation or alteration of a single household dwelling, is supplying qualifying services related to the renovation or alteration, and

(ii)those services include the incorporation of the materials in the dwelling concerned or its immediate site.

(8)Sub-paragraph (9) below applies where a supply of services is only in part a supply to which sub-paragraph (6)(a) or (7)(a) above applies.

(9)The supply, to the extent that it is one to which paragraph (a) of sub-paragraph (6) or (7) above applies, is to be taken to be a supply to which that paragraph applies; and an apportionment may be made to determine that extent.”

(2)After paragraph 7 of that Schedule (which also is inserted by section 96 of this Act) insert—

8(1)Paragraph 1(6) above is interpreted in accordance with paragraphs 9 to 17 and 22 below.

(2)In paragraphs 10 to 14 below, “single household dwelling” means a dwelling—

(a)that is designed for occupation by a single household, and

(b)in relation to which the conditions set out in sub-paragraph (4) below are satisfied.

(3)In paragraphs 10 to 14 below “multiple occupancy dwelling” means a dwelling—

(a)that is designed for occupation by persons not forming a single household, and

(b)in relation to which the conditions set out in sub-paragraph (4) below are satisfied.

(4)The conditions are—

(a)that the dwelling consists of self-contained living accommodation,

(b)that there is no provision for direct internal access from the dwelling to any other dwelling or part of a dwelling,

(c)that the separate use of the dwelling is not prohibited by the terms of any covenant, statutory planning consent or similar provision, and

(d)that the separate disposal of the dwelling is not prohibited by any such terms.

(5)For the purposes of this paragraph, a dwelling “is designed” for occupation of a particular kind if it is so designed—

(a)as a result of having been originally constructed for occupation of that kind and not having been subsequently adapted for occupation of any other kind, or

(b)as a result of adaptation.

9(1)A “qualifying conversion” means—

(a)a changed number of dwellings conversion (see paragraph 10 below);

(b)house in multiple occupation conversion (see paragraph 11 below); or

(c)a special residential conversion (see paragraph 12 below).

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) above is subject to paragraphs 14 and 15 below.

10(1)A “changed number of dwellings conversion” is—

(a)a conversion of premises consisting of a building where the conditions specified in this paragraph are satisfied, or

(b)a conversion of premises consisting of a part of a building where those conditions are satisfied.

(2)The first condition is that after the conversion the premises being converted contain a number of single household dwellings that is—

(a)different from the number (if any) that the premises contain before the conversion, and

(b)greater than, or equal to, one.

(3)The second condition is that there is no part of the premises being converted that is a part that after the conversion contains the same number of single household dwellings (whether zero, one or two or more) as before the conversion.

11(1)A “house in multiple occupation conversion” is—

(a)a conversion of premises consisting of a building where the condition specified in sub-paragraph (2) below is satisfied, or

(b)a conversion of premises consisting of a part of a building where that condition is satisfied.

(2)The condition is that—

(a)before the conversion the premises being converted contain only a single household dwelling or two or more such dwellings,

(b)after the conversion those premises contain only a multiple occupancy dwelling or two or more such dwellings, and

(c)the use to which those premises are intended to be put after the conversion is not to any extent use for a qualifying residential purpose (see paragraph 17 below).

12(1)A “special residential conversion” is a conversion of premises consisting of—

(a)a building or two or more buildings,

(b)a part of a building or two or more parts of buildings, or

(c)a combination of—

(i)a building or two or more buildings, and

(ii)a part of a building or two or more parts of buildings,

where the conditions specified in this paragraph are satisfied.

(2)The first condition is that, before the conversion, the premises being converted contain only—

(a)a dwelling or two or more dwellings, or

(b)a dwelling, or two or more dwellings, and—

(i)an ancillary outbuilding occupied together with the dwelling or one or more of the dwellings, or

(ii)two or more ancillary outbuildings each occupied together with the dwelling or one or more of the dwellings.

(3)In sub-paragraph (2) above “dwelling” means single household dwelling or multiple occupancy dwelling.

(4)The second condition is that where before the conversion the premises being converted contain a multiple occupancy dwelling or two or more such dwellings, the use to which that dwelling, or any of those dwellings, was last put before the conversion was not to any extent use for a qualifying residential purpose (see paragraph 17 below).

(5)The third condition is that the premises being converted must be intended to be used after the conversion solely for a qualifying residential purpose.

(6)The fourth condition is that, where the qualifying residential purpose is an institutional purpose, the premises being converted must be intended to form after the conversion the entirety of an institution used for that purpose.

(7)In sub-paragraph (6) above “institutional purpose” means a purpose within paragraph 17(a) to (c), (f) or (g) below.

13(1)This paragraph applies where the qualifying conversion concerned is a special residential conversion.

(2)Paragraph 1(6)(a) or (b) above does not apply to a supply unless—

(a)it is made to a person who intends to use the premises being converted for the qualifying residential purpose, and

(b)before it is made, the person to whom it is made has given to the person making it a certificate that satisfies the requirements in sub-paragraph (3) below.

(3)Those requirements are that the certificate—

(a)is in such form as may be specified in a notice published by the Commissioners, and

(b)states that the conversion is a special residential conversion.

(4)In sub-paragraph (2)(a) above “the qualifying residential purpose” means the purpose within paragraph 17 below for which the premises being converted are intended to be used after the conversion.

14(1)A qualifying conversion includes any garage works related to the—

(a)changed number of dwellings conversion,

(b)house in multiple occupation conversion, or

(c)special residential conversion,

concerned.

(2)In this paragraph “garage works” means—

(a)the construction of a garage, or

(b)a conversion of a non-residential building, or of a non-residential part of a building, that results in a garage.

(3)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above, garage works are “related” to a conversion if—

(a)they are carried out at the same time as the conversion, and

(b)the resulting garage is intended to be occupied with—

(i)where the conversion concerned is a changed number of dwellings conversion, a single household dwelling that will after the conversion be contained in the building, or part of a building, being converted,

(ii)where the conversion concerned is a house in multiple occupation conversion, a multiple occupancy dwelling that will after the conversion be contained in the building, or part of a building, being converted, or

(iii)where the conversion concerned is a special residential conversion, the institution or other accommodation resulting from the conversion.

(4)In sub-paragraph (2) above “non-residential” means neither designed, nor adapted, for use—

(a)as a dwelling or two or more dwellings, or

(b)for a qualifying residential purpose (see paragraph 17 below).

15(1)A conversion is not a qualifying conversion if any statutory planning consent needed for the conversion has not been granted.

(2)A conversion is not a qualifying conversion if any statutory building control approval needed for the conversion has not been granted.

16(1)In the case of a conversion of a building, “supply of qualifying services” means a supply of services that consists in—

(a)the carrying out of works to the fabric of the building, or

(b)the carrying out of works within the immediate site of the building that are in connection with—

(i)the means of providing water, power, heat or access to the building,

(ii)the means of providing drainage or security for the building, or

(iii)the provision of means of waste disposal for the building.

(2)In the case of a conversion of part of a building, “supply of qualifying services” means a supply of services that consists in—

(a)the carrying out of works to the fabric of the part, or

(b)the carrying out of works to the fabric of the building, or within the immediate site of the building, that are in connection with—

(i)the means of providing water, power, heat or access to the part,

(ii)the means of providing drainage or security for the part, or

(iii)the provision of means of waste disposal for the part.

(3)In this paragraph—

(a)references to the carrying out of works to the fabric of a building do not include the incorporation, or installation as fittings, in the building of any goods that are not building materials (see paragraph 22 below);

(b)references to the carrying out of works to the fabric of a part of a building do not include the incorporation, or installation as fittings, in the part of any goods that are not building materials.

17For the purposes of paragraphs 11 to 14 above, “use for a qualifying residential purpose” means use as—

(a)a home or other institution providing residential accommodation for children,

(b)a home or other institution providing residential accommodation with personal care for persons in need of personal care by reason of old age, disablement, past or present dependence on alcohol or drugs or past or present mental disorder,

(c)a hospice,

(d)residential accommodation for students or school pupils,

(e)residential accommodation for members of any of the armed forces,

(f)a monastery, nunnery or similar establishment, or

(g)an institution which is the sole or main residence of at least 90 per cent. of its residents,

except use as a hospital, prison or similar institution or an hotel, inn or similar establishment.

18(1)Paragraph 1(7) above is interpreted in accordance with this paragraph and paragraphs 19 to 22 below.

(2)For the purposes of paragraph 1(7) above (and paragraphs 19 to 21 below)—

• “alteration” includes extension;

• “single household dwelling” has the meaning given by paragraph 8(2), (4) and (5) above.

19(1)Paragraph 1(7) above does not apply to a supply unless either of the empty home conditions is satisfied.

(2)The first “empty home condition” is that the dwelling concerned has not been lived in during the period of 3 years ending with the commencement of the relevant works.

(3)The second “empty home condition” is that—

(a)the dwelling was not lived in during a period of at least 3 years;

(b)the person, or one of the persons, whose beginning to live in the dwelling brought that period to an end was a person who (whether alone or jointly with another or others) acquired the dwelling at a time—

(i)no later than the end of that period, and

(ii)when the dwelling had been not lived in for at least 3 years;

(c)no works by way of renovation or alteration were carried out to the dwelling during the period of 3 years ending with the acquisition;

(d)the supply is made to a person who is—

(i)the person, or one of the persons, whose beginning to live in the property brought to an end the period mentioned in paragraph (a) above, and

(ii)the person, or one of the persons, who acquired the dwelling as mentioned in paragraph (b) above; and

(e)the relevant works are carried out during the period of one year beginning with the day of the acquisition.

(4)In this paragraph “the relevant works” means—

(a)where the supply is of the description set out in paragraph 1(7)(a) above, the works that constitute the services supplied;

(b)where the supply is of the description set out in paragraph 1(7)(b) above, the works by which the materials concerned are incorporated in the dwelling concerned or its immediate site.

(5)In sub-paragraph (3) above, references to a person acquiring a dwelling are to that person having a major interest in the dwelling granted, or assigned, to him for a consideration.

20(1)Paragraph 1(7) above does not apply to a supply unless any statutory planning consent needed for the renovation or alteration has been granted.

(2)Paragraph 1(7) above does not apply to a supply unless any statutory building control approval needed for the renovation or alteration has been granted.

21(1)“Supply of qualifying services” means a supply of services that consists in—

(a)the carrying out of works to the fabric of the dwelling, or

(b)the carrying out of works within the immediate site of the dwelling that are in connection with—

(i)the means of providing water, power, heat or access to the dwelling,

(ii)the means of providing drainage or security for the dwelling, or

(iii)the provision of means of waste disposal for the dwelling.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1)(a) above, the reference to the carrying out of works to the fabric of the dwelling does not include the incorporation, or installation as fittings, in the dwelling of any goods that are not building materials (see paragraph 22 below).

22“Building materials” has the meaning given by Notes (22) and (23) of Group 5 to Schedule 8 (zero-rating of construction and conversion of buildings).”.

(3)The amendments made by this section have effect in relation to supplies made after the day on which this Act is passed.

98 VAT: museums and galleriesU.K.

(1)The Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) is amended as follows.

(2)After section 33 insert—

“33A Refunds of VAT to museums and galleries

(1)Subsections (2) to (5) below apply where—

(a)VAT is chargeable on—

(i)the supply of goods or services to a body to which this section applies,

(ii)the acquisition of any goods by such a body from another member State, or

(iii)the importation of any goods by such a body from a place outside the member States,

(b)the supply, acquisition or importation is attributable to the provision by the body of free rights of admission to a relevant museum or gallery, and

(c)the supply is made, or the acquisition or importation takes place, on or after 1st April 2001.

(2)The Commissioners shall, on a claim made by the body in such form and manner as the Commissioners may determine, refund to the body the amount of VAT so chargeable.

(3)The claim must be made before the end of the claim period.

(4)Subject to subsection (5) below, “the claim period” is the period of 3 years beginning with the day on which the supply is made or the acquisition or importation takes place.

(5)If the Commissioners so determine, the claim period is such shorter period beginning with that day as the Commissioners may determine.

(6)Subsection (7) below applies where goods or services supplied to, or acquired or imported by, a body to which this section applies that are attributable to free admissions cannot conveniently be distinguished from goods or services supplied to, or acquired or imported by, the body that are not attributable to free admissions.

(7)The amount to be refunded on a claim by the body under this section shall be such amount as remains after deducting from the VAT related to the claim such proportion of that VAT as appears to the Commissioners to be attributable otherwise than to free admissions.

(8)For the purposes of subsections (6) and (7) above—

(a)goods or services are, and VAT is, attributable to free admissions if they are, or it is, attributable to the provision by the body of free rights of admission to a relevant museum or gallery;

(b)the VAT related to a claim is the whole of the VAT chargeable on—

(i)the supplies to the body, and

(ii)the acquisitions and importations by the body,

to which the claim relates.

(9)The Treasury may by order—

(a)specify a body as being a body to which this section applies;

(b)when specifying a body under paragraph (a), specify any museum or gallery that, for the purposes of this section, is a “relevant” museum or gallery in relation to the body;

(c)specify an additional museum or gallery as being, for the purposes of this section, a “relevant” museum or gallery in relation to a body to which this section applies;

(d)when specifying a museum or gallery under paragraph (b) or (c), provide that this section shall have effect in the case of the museum or gallery as if in subsection (1)(c) there were substituted for 1st April 2001 a later date specified in the order.

(10)References in this section to VAT do not include any VAT which, by virtue of any order under section 25(7), is excluded from credit under that section.”

F1(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Section 79 (repayment supplements) is amended in accordance with subsections (5) to (7).

(5)In subsection (1) (entitlement to supplement), after paragraph (b) insert— “, or

(c)a body which is registered and to which section 33A applies is entitled to a refund under that section,”.

(6)In subsection (5) (how supplement to be treated), after paragraph (b) insert— “, and

(c)a supplement paid to any body under subsection (1)(c) shall be treated as an amount due to it by way of refund under section 33A.”

(7)In subsection (6)(b) (meaning of “requisite return or claim”), after “section 33” insert “ or (as the case may be) the Commissioners’ determination under, and the provisions of, section 33A. ”.

(8)In section 90(3) (VAT not to be refunded if it is repayable under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968 (c. 2)), after “section 33,” insert “ 33A, ”.

(9)In Note (9) of Group 14 of Schedule 9 (no entitlement to both exemption and refund), after “33,” insert “ 33A, ”.

(10)Subject to subsection (11), this section comes into force on 1st September 2001.

(11)For the purpose only of the exercise of the power to make orders under the section 33A(9) inserted by this section, this section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

99 VAT: re-enactment of reduced-rate provisionsU.K.

(1)For the purpose of re-enacting the provisions of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) that provide for VAT on certain supplies, acquisitions and importations to be charged at a reduced rate of 5 per cent., that Act is amended as follows.

(2)In section 2(1) (VAT to be charged at the rate of 17.5 per cent.), after “Subject to the following provisions of this section” insert “ and to the provisions of section 29A ”.

(3)Section 2(1A) to (1C) and Schedule A1 (which are superseded by the new section 29A and Schedule 7A) shall cease to have effect.

(4)In Part 2 (reliefs, exemptions and repayments), after the heading “Reliefs etc. generally available” insert—

“29A Reduced rate

(1)VAT charged on—

(a)any supply that is of a description for the time being specified in Schedule 7A, or

(b)any equivalent acquisition or importation,

shall be charged at the rate of 5 per cent.

(2)The reference in subsection (1) above to an equivalent acquisition or importation, in relation to any supply that is of a description for the time being specified in Schedule 7A, is a reference (as the case may be) to—

(a)any acquisition from another member State of goods the supply of which would be such a supply; or

(b)any importation from a place outside the member States of any such goods.

(3)The Treasury may by order vary Schedule 7A by adding to or deleting from it any description of supply or by varying any description of supply for the time being specified in it.

(4)The power to vary Schedule 7A conferred by subsection (3) above may be exercised so as to describe a supply of goods or services by reference to matters unrelated to the characteristics of the goods or services themselves.

In the case of a supply of goods, those matters include, in particular, the use that has been made of the goods.”.

(5)After Schedule 7 insert the Schedule 7A set out in Part 1 of Schedule 31 to this Act.

(6)The consequential amendments in Part 2 of Schedule 31 to this Act have effect.

(7)The following provisions have effect in relation to supplies made, and acquisitions and importations taking place, on or after 1st November 2001—

(a)subsections (2) and (5),

(b)subsection (3) so far as providing for section 2(1A) and (1B), and Schedule A1, to cease to have effect, and

(c)subsection (4) so far as inserting subsections (1) and (2) of the new section 29A.

(8)Subsection (3), so far as providing for section 2(1C) to cease to have effect, comes into force on 1st November 2001.

(9)Subsection (6)—

(a)so far as relating to the amendments made by paragraphs 2 and 6(2) of Schedule 31 to this Act, has effect in relation to orders under section 2(2) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) that make changes only in the rate of VAT that is in force at times on or after 1st November 2001;

(b)so far as relating to the amendment made by paragraph 3 of Schedule 31 to this Act, has effect in relation to supplies made, or to be made, on or after 1st November 2001.

100 VAT representativesU.K.

(1)In section 48 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (VAT representatives), in subsection (1) (directions requiring appointment of representative), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b)is not established, and does not have any fixed establishment, in the United Kingdom;

(ba)is established in a country or territory in respect of which it appears to the Commissioners that the condition specified in subsection (1A) below is satisfied; and”.

F2(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)For subsection (2) of that section (power of taxable person to appoint representative) substitute—

“(2)With the agreement of the Commissioners, a person—

(a)who has not been required under subsection (1) above to appoint another person to act on his behalf in relation to VAT, and

(b)in relation to whom the conditions specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of that subsection are satisfied,

may appoint another person to act on his behalf in relation to VAT.

(2A)In this Act “VAT representative” means a person appointed under subsection (1) or (2) above.”

(4)The amendments made by this section come into force on 31st December 2001.