Planetarion Forums

Androme · 2 Aug 2007, 00:16

I am ordering a dedicated server, however, they are trying to charge me VAT @ 19%. I told them I am in the UK and only have to pay 17.5% VAT. They replied back with the following:

"We can waive the 19% VAT if you have a Europian VAT number. Every resident of the Europian Union have to pay VAT.

If you buy something in The Netherlands you pay 19% VAT, Belgium 21% etc.
The VAT rate can be different per country, it has nothing to do with the VAT rate in the UK."

Considering I am a student and not 'registered' to pay for VAT (I do not have a VAT number), does this mean I have to pay this European 19% VAT charge?!

Thanks for the help.

Mzyxptlk · 2 Aug 2007, 04:56

Assuming you're ordering the server for private use, this is business-to-consumer trade, and you should pay VAT.

As for the tariff, Wikipedia says VAT for trade between EU states "is generally charged at the border, at the same time as customs duty". If you ordered from a company in the UK, I'd say you pay the 17.5%. If you ordered from a company in another country, the VAT rate of that country probably applies, which may very well be 19%.

That said, I'm no expert, so I may be wrong.

pablissimo · 2 Aug 2007, 12:45

HMRC reckons that it's 17.5% if you're importing to the UK, though that's goods and not services

Edit:
Although, thinking about it in terms of, say, a hotel room, I'd expect to pay local taxes for services in general so they may well be correct since they're not delivering you a server, just giving you a lease on it

Dead_Meat · 2 Aug 2007, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androme2

I am ordering a dedicated server,.

From where to where.

Knowing this could be called, by some, fundamental to understanding your problem.

Androme · 2 Aug 2007, 13:49

The server is in the Netherlands, I am in the UK.

pyirt · 2 Aug 2007, 16:02

I think you`ll have to pay the VAT in the country where your buying from. Also, you may even have to pay some import duty on top of that when the server is delivered in this country.

Tietäjä · 2 Aug 2007, 17:30

It's European Union. It's highly unlikely you'll have to pay import duty (because it's essentially an inter-european service, and it'd be ackward if they forbid you from favoring domestic products, but placed an extra fee on renting foreign products), but the VAT side is probably true.

gzambo · 2 Aug 2007, 17:59

afaik once the vat has been paid in the country of origin then no further taxation takes place

Androme · 2 Aug 2007, 20:16

Cheers guys, apparently I do need to pay the 19% VAT :/

pyirt · 2 Aug 2007, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tietäjä

It's European Union. It's highly unlikely you'll have to pay import duty (because it's essentially an inter-european service, and it'd be ackward if they forbid you from favoring domestic products, but placed an extra fee on renting foreign products), but the VAT side is probably true.

I bought a hat on the internet a few years ago, and the postie asked for more cash; ie: dosh for the then Chancellor of the exchequer (sp!) Gordon Brown; though I now seem to remember it was from North America.

pyirt · 2 Aug 2007, 21:38

Oh, while I remember; was n`t there something about people buying booze on the internet in another EU Country, and having it delivered at home without paying duty? I think there was a Court decision that ruled in the UK`s goverments favour; not so long ago. I think you had to go and physically buy the booze to escape the duty charge? Anyone know about this?

lokken · 2 Aug 2007, 23:24

Given that the company have to pay that VAT for the country they are based in, I think it's only fair that you pay at their rate.

Tomkat · 2 Aug 2007, 23:41

Erm that's ridiculous.

When ordering things such as computers or other expensive products to be delivered to Jersey, I always get it VAT free. Even though they're produced and shipped through the UK, we always get it VAT free (sometimes after phoning up and explaining the situation).

I'm pretty sure it's based entirely on where it's being delivered to, and as such you should only need to pay the UK VAT.

Demon Dave · 2 Aug 2007, 23:58

I think this all depends on if Androme is actually buying a physical server to be delivered to him, or simply buying a lease on a server that is located somewhere else and will not be leaving that country

Phang · 3 Aug 2007, 01:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomkat

Erm that's ridiculous.

When ordering things such as computers or other expensive products to be delivered to Jersey, I always get it VAT free. Even though they're produced and shipped through the UK, we always get it VAT free (sometimes after phoning up and explaining the situation).

I'm pretty sure it's based entirely on where it's being delivered to, and as such you should only need to pay the UK VAT.

Actually I'm pretty sure you'll be buying it from a PO Box in Jersey.

All Systems Go · 3 Aug 2007, 11:17

VAT's-a matter you Hey! Gotta no respect
What-a you t'ink you do? Why you look-a so sad
It's-a not so bad, it's-a nice-a place
Ah, shaddap-a you face