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Voucher vortex

19 February 2013
Issue: 4391 / Categories: Forum & Feedback , VAT
A restaurateur issues £5,000 of £100 vouchers to a businessman in return for a payment of £4,000. The businessman gives the vouchers to contacts and friends who can use them to enjoy food and drink in the restaurant

My client Mr A is a restaurateur who has always issued £5 000 of vouchers to a wealthy business owner (Mr B) at Christmas.

In return Mr A receives a payment of £4 000 from Mr B who gives the vouchers away to 50 of his business contacts and friends who can then each enjoy £100 of free food and drink when they visit the restaurant.

Mr A has always accounted for VAT when the vouchers are redeemed by the business contacts based on the face value of the voucher less 20% (to reflect the 20% discount given to the business owner).

This has produced a VAT windfall for him because about half of the vouchers are never redeemed but he has still received payment for them.

However I understand that the VAT rules have now changed in relation to vouchers issued by...

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