VAT Questions for the experts

[arguti]

Would be interested in expert opinion or even advice as to where to find a VAT expert to advice on the following:

We provide specialist medical services and are currently exempt from charging VAT to our clients and are looking to for an expert opinion in terms of the recent VAT changes

Essentially we provide specialist medical services to client hospital sites on a 24/7 basis. we recruit, train and provide doctors who provide this service and we supervises, directs and control the doctors and their services at client hospitals.

The key issue is that we are NOT an employment business or employment agency but rather a specialist medical services provider. This has been been examined in detail by the Home Office who will not allow employment businesses to apply for sponsorship licencing (replacement for work permits).

I am aware that the Home Office view is not relevant in terms of how HMRC might view us but I really would appreciate some PH thoughts

[Eric Mc]

Have you checked with HMRC?

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

As per usual the best advice from Eric Mc. No matter what anyone else tells you, no matter whom they are, the only opinion that counts is the one in writing from HMRC.

[arguti]

Specifically did not want to go to HMRC first as I suspect that they will just tell us to charge VAT which is what we are trying to avoid.

Was thinking of getting an VAT expert involved up front - I seem to recollect on the web some time fairly recently that some advisory VAT experts successfully challenged HMRC on a similar matter. Our accountants are not sure but think that we may be liable.

With the Home Office, they initially classed us as an employment business until we got the solicitors involved and then finally got an apology from Blunkett's No2 at the time because they "misinterpreted" some of the information we submitted.

[JonRB]

Actually, HMRC VAT are usually pretty helpful when you phone them.

Edit: But given your most recent post, I can see why you might think otherwise.

Edited by JonRB on Thursday 30th April 14:00