What is VAT Exemption / Relief?

Here are some basic facts to help you decide if you are eligible to claim VAT relief on disability aids on our website.

VAT exemption allows chronically sick or disabled people to buy eligible items without paying VAT. 

Who is eligible for VAT relief?

To be eligible for VAT relief the government says you have to fit the following criteria:

Charities - provide us with your charity number.

Or, a person is 'chronically sick or disabled' if he/she is a person:

1. With a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect upon his/her ability to carry out everyday activities; with a condition which the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, such as diabetes; or

2. Who is terminally ill.

Important Note: It does NOT include a frail elderly person who is otherwise able-bodied or any person who is only temporarily disabled or incapacitated, such as with a broken limb.

What proof will you be required to provide?

In order to waive VAT on your purchase, the government requires a simple declaration to be made as to the nature of your disability at the time of ordering. 

We try to make it as easy as possible to claim VAT relief.  We need to have record of the name, address & disability of the person claiming the exemption, and  what their chronic sickness or disability is. We don't need a doctor's letter or any reference numbers.

The exemption details can be entered whilst checking out on our website, if you miss the box you can email us the details at info@austinmedical.co.uk or you can call us on 03450 660506 and we can take your details and order over the phone. Once you've entered these details you'll receive the VAT refund within 24 hours. 

Which Items are eligible?

VAT Exemption only applies to certain items; these are items which have been designed to be used by someone who is chronically sick or disabled.  If an item is displayed as 'Available VAT Exemption' or the price is shown "with VAT Relief" on our site, you are entitled to buy it as such.

Things to Remember

We do NOT decide if an item is or isn't exempt and we don't make any more or less money if we charge you VAT or we don't charge you VAT.

If you do not complete the VAT exemption form, or you are not eligible for VAT relief, we are obliged to charge you the full prevailing VAT on the whole of your order.

Please note, it is an offense to claim VAT relief when you are not eligible.