1st July 2021

 

Dear Member,

UPDATE – STOP PRESS

 

Linnewebber – You may recall we have been pressing Government on VAT reclaims.   Yesterday, at last, the First Tier Tribunal published its judgement in relation to reclaims on VAT on Gaming Machines for the period 2005-2013.  As with the Upper Tier Tribunal ruling on pre 2005 claims heard last year, the judge held that the VAT should not have been charged and claims stood behind this case, commonly known as Linnewebber 2, should be paid.

This will be welcome news to the industry that has suffered so badly from the pandemic.  However it must be noted that, HMRC have nearly two months to appeal, so the matter is not yet concluded.  If they do appeal and again lose there will then be a need to establish a process for payments to be made.  Given our experience with pre-2005 claims this is not likely to be expedited. However, our pressure on Government has secured a meeting with HMRC at which we can again express the unacceptability of their repayment delays.

 

Kind regards

John