VAT refund schemes ― museums and galleries

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by a Tolley Value Added Tax expert
Value Added Tax
Guidance

VAT refund schemes ― museums and galleries

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by a Tolley Value Added Tax expert
Value Added Tax
Guidance
imgtext

This guidance note covers the special VAT refund scheme that applies to certain museums and galleries.

For in-depth commentary on the legislation, see De Voil Indirect Tax Service V5.162A.

VAT refund scheme for museums and galleries ― the basics

Museums and galleries which allow members of the public to enter free of charge can apply to join a scheme entitling them to refunds of VAT incurred on costs which would not otherwise be recoverable.

To be eligible for the scheme a museum must meet certain conditions, such as being open to the general public for at least 30 hours per week.

The application process involves obtaining support from one of a set of governmental administrations or departments (eg the Department for Culture, Media and Sport).

Once within the scheme, the museum or gallery may reclaim VAT which is attributable to free admission. This can include (for example) VAT incurred on items and collections on display.

Museums and galleries which can apply to join the scheme

To qualify for the scheme

Continue reading the full document
To gain access to additional expert tax guidance, workflow tools, generative tax AI, and tax research, register for a free trial of Tolley+™
TAKE A FREE TRIAL NOW
Powered by Tolley+™
  • 27 Oct 2025 12:30

Home/ Tolley Tax Guidance/ Value Added Tax / Securing VAT recovery on costs

Popular Articles

Value Added Tax

Exemption ― overview ― items exempt from VAT in the UK

Exemption ― overview ― items exempt from VAT in the UKVAT exemption: list of supplies exempt from UK VATThe goods or services that are exempt from VAT are listed under various group headings within VATA 1994, Sch 9, Pt II.It is important to remember that not all supplies that come within a heading

14 Jul 2020 12:45 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more
Personal Tax

Interest and penalties on late paid tax under self assessment

Interest and penalties on late paid tax under self assessmentInterestIf the capital gains tax, the balancing payment or payments on account of tax and / or Class 4 national insurance contributions (NIC) are paid late, HMRC will charge interest on the amount overdue from the original due date. The

14 Jul 2020 12:00 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more
Owner-Managed Businesses

Interest on late paid tax

Interest on late paid taxIntroductionInterest on late paid tax is a compulsory charge set out in legislation to reflect the interest which would have accrued to the Exchequer had the correct amount of tax been paid at the right time.Harmonised legislation was introduced in 2009 to:•set statutory

14 Jul 2020 12:00 | Produced by Tolley in association with Philip Rutherford Read more Read more