VAT question on reselling printed media (flyers)

[Steamer]

Just a quick question that popped into my head today:

I'm a freelance design and to substitute my income I sometimes resell printed media.

When I design a print job I charge VAT.

But for a recent job I was simply asked to supply the print.. ie: client already had their own artwork, passed it onto me to get printed for them.

So my question is this: if there is no VAT on flyers do I still add 17.5% onto the price I charge my client? Afterall I'm not just providing the printed flyers, I'm also collecting, proofing and then delivering the finished product.

[Simpo Two]

I think so as you are adding a service.

[Eric Mc]

If you are just selling printed sheets of paper (posters, flyers etc) then I am pretty sure they are sold Standard Rated for VAT purposes.

Selling printed matter which is "bound" i.e. books, atlases etc are Zero Rated.

[Broccers]

Flyers are zero vatable.

[Eric Mc]

I always thought that there was a difference between bound and unbound print products. The classic example was the difference in treatment between maps and atlases. Maybe fly sheets, advertising material and other single sheet products are treated different again.

VAT is a minefield.

[SystemParanoia]

[blatent plug]

www.wmediadirect.co.uk

my company distribute leaflets and flyers throughout the Midlands and competitive prices.


just thought id mention it incase a client ever asked you

[/blatent plug]


as you were

[Bernie-the-bolt]

The rule of thumb is that if printed material is written on you charge VAT.

If 90% or so of the material in a mailing is (by its type) VAT free you don't have to charge VAT. My VAT inspector has however always advised me to charge VAT as that way you won't be wrong.

If you charge VAT, providing the company you are selling to can claim VAT they are elegable to claim all of it back on printed material and so it makes no difference anyway.

HTH.

[timskipper]

Eric Mc said:

VAT is a minefield.

Indeed! You should consult an acco... oh.

[Eric Mc]

timskipper said:

Eric Mc said:

VAT is a minefield.

Indeed! You should consult an acco... oh.

It's complicated - even for accountants .

[Broccers]

If an item has space to be filled in and returned we charge vat on that but they would not be considered 'flyers' more 'forms'.

It is a minefield full stop.

Edited by Broccers on Wednesday 22 October 16:29

[Steamer]

Thanks for all your input on this one.. I'll do a bit more homework on VAT & reselling print. In the mean time I think I'll still add the VAT on this job and have a chat with the client if the question comes up (they are a big company anyway and probably won't even mention it).

[fergywales]

Hi, my company handles both artwork design and print brokerage. When it comes to leaflets, as standard, it the whole leaflet is under A3 size, zero VAT on print, just on artwork generation and delivery.

For over A3 in size, we then have a lengthy list of what constitutes VATable items and what doesn't, including end usage.

Hope this helps.

[Steamer]

fergywales said:

Hi, my company handles both artwork design and print brokerage. When it comes to leaflets, as standard, it the whole leaflet is under A3 size, zero VAT on print, just on artwork generation and delivery.

For over A3 in size, we then have a lengthy list of what constitutes VATable items and what doesn't, including end usage.

Hope this helps.

Arrrr that could be just the answer I needed!!

So I quote my client for the print work they require (and include VAT if applicable.. but not in this case as its only a small printed invite.) THEN separate out the delivery, proofing and any other services I'm including and simply add the VAT to those bits... does that sound right?

[Bernie-the-bolt]

Can I ask why you don't simply just charge VAT, let your client reclaim it and you then don't have to worry 'just' in case you got it wrong?

This is what we do all the time and it makes very simple!