kitchen from uk ex VAT

gkp

Registered User
Messages
5
Hi, I have an option to get a kitchen from a contact in the UK who will ship it ex VAT (20%) if I provide an Irish VAT number. I am wondering if a builder who will be renovating the house is likely to provide his VAT number for this purpose? Also is there any benefit to me, would the builder here just have to charge me Irish VAT (23% ?)on it anyway?
Thanks.
 

Builder will have to buy the kitchen and sell to you charging 23% VAT instead of UK 20% VAT which will end up costing you the difference. You cannot buy the kitchen yourself using his VAT number.
 
Your builder will most likely run a mile from such an arrangement, as intra-EU VAT exempt transactions are closely monitored by Revenue and unusual transactions may trigger a Revenue Audit for them.
 
Why not just pay the 20% uk vat and buy it - would that not be legal, or is there a maximum value of goods you can buy from another EC country without worrying about vat.