Board and at work
Discussion
Under UK law, no Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on biscuits and cakes — they are "zero rated". Chocolate covered biscuits, however, are subject to VAT, currently 15%. McVities classed its Jaffa Cakes as cakes, but in 1991, this was challenged by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the case ended up before the courts. This may have been because Jaffa Cakes are about the same size and shape as some types of biscuit, and particularly because they are commonly eaten alongside, or instead of, traditional biscuits. A question that the court asked itself was "what criteria should be used to class something as a cake?"
McVities defended its classification of Jaffa Cakes as cakes. In doing so it produced a 12" Jaffa Cake to illustrate that its Jaffa Cakes were simply miniature cakes.
McVities argued that a distinction between cakes and biscuits is, among other things, that biscuits would normally be expected to go soft when stale, whereas cakes would normally be expected to go hard. It was demonstrated to the Tribunal that Jaffa Cakes become hard when stale. Other factors taken into account by the Chairman, Mr Potter QC, included the name, ingredients, texture, size, packaging, marketing, presentation, appeal to children, and manufacturing process. Contrary to a commonly held belief, whether something is considered a 'luxury item' is not a test for VAT purposes.
Mr Potter ruled that the Jaffa Cake is a cake. McVities therefore won the case and VAT is not paid on Jaffa Cakes
McVities defended its classification of Jaffa Cakes as cakes. In doing so it produced a 12" Jaffa Cake to illustrate that its Jaffa Cakes were simply miniature cakes.
McVities argued that a distinction between cakes and biscuits is, among other things, that biscuits would normally be expected to go soft when stale, whereas cakes would normally be expected to go hard. It was demonstrated to the Tribunal that Jaffa Cakes become hard when stale. Other factors taken into account by the Chairman, Mr Potter QC, included the name, ingredients, texture, size, packaging, marketing, presentation, appeal to children, and manufacturing process. Contrary to a commonly held belief, whether something is considered a 'luxury item' is not a test for VAT purposes.
Mr Potter ruled that the Jaffa Cake is a cake. McVities therefore won the case and VAT is not paid on Jaffa Cakes
SimonV8ster said:
Jesus Christ !! Where the f
k did you spring from to answer that ??!! 
Were you randomly searching different forums in case sombody asked the question 'Are jaffa cakes biscuits or cakes ?' !!
I knew someone, one day, would ask a question that I could answer!!!k did you spring from to answer that ??!! Were you randomly searching different forums in case sombody asked the question 'Are jaffa cakes biscuits or cakes ?' !!
Seriously though I can't take the credit. I searched on Wiki and all was revealed but don't tell anyone
MoonMonkey said:
SimonV8ster said:
Jesus Christ !! Where the did you spring from to answer that ??!!
Were you randomly searching different forums in case sombody asked the question 'Are jaffa cakes biscuits or cakes ?' !!
did you spring from to answer that ??!! Were you randomly searching different forums in case sombody asked the question 'Are jaffa cakes biscuits or cakes ?' !!
I knew someone, one day, would ask a question that I could answer!!!
Seriously though I can't take the credit. I searched on Wiki and all was revealed but don't tell anyone
You must be as board as me if u looked it up lol
scottlzp said:
The world record for eating jaffa cakes in a minute is four, you arent allowed to drink and you have to finish one before you start the next, try it!...I did and I managed four and a half!!Sad I know!!!
So you're the new world record holder for eating Jaffa cakes in a minute ?So there you are -
You can have your cake and eat it afterall.
Edited by SimonV8ster on Saturday 13th June 19:46
SimonV8ster said:
scottlzp said:
The world record for eating jaffa cakes in a minute is four, you arent allowed to drink and you have to finish one before you start the next, try it!...I did and I managed four and a half!!Sad I know!!!
So you're the new world record holder for eating Jaffa cakes in a minute ?
So there you are -
You can have your cake and eat it afterall.
Edited by SimonV8ster on Saturday 13th June 19:46
Suppose I am, well equal anyway, whats Norris McWhirters number or is he dead?
Moanro5.7 said:
Thanks for all the great answers and iam not so confussed about jaffa cakes lol but why is shotrbread kept in the biscuit isle but caramel shortbread is in the cake section in Tesco`s no make sense to me lol (i think i need to get out more )
)think you get out to much now!! just dont keep driving the car to the supermarket !!!lol..
Moanro5.7 said:
Thanks for all the great answers and iam not so confussed about jaffa cakes lol but why is shotrbread kept in the biscuit isle but caramel shortbread is in the cake section in Tesco`s no make sense to me lol (i think i need to get out more )
)You really need to get over these cake/biscuit based dilemas
Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff