VAT rate reduction for hospitality
Introduction
The government announced that it would introduce a temporary 5% reduced rate of VAT for certain supplies of hospitality, hotel and holiday accommodation, and admissions to certain attractions.
This reduction in the VAT rate from the standard rate of 20% will have effect from 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021.
These changes are being brought in as a response to the pandemic to support businesses adversely impacted by non-essential business closures and social distancing measures.
Included supplies
As detailed in HMRC guidance, the following supplies will benefit from the temporary 5% reduced rate of VAT:
- food and non-alcoholic beverages sold for on-premises consumption, for example, in restaurants, cafes and pubs
- hot takeaway food and hot takeaway non-alcoholic beverages
- sleeping accommodation in hotels or similar establishments, holiday accommodation, pitch fees for caravans and tents, and associated facilities
- admissions to the following attractions that are not already eligible for the cultural VAT exemption such as:
- theatres
- circuses
- fairs
- amusement parks
- concerts
- museums
- zoos
- cinemas
- exhibitions
- similar cultural events and facilities