BB/4B/06 VAT—off-street car parking provided by local authorities
Business Brief, Issue 4. 24 March 2006
The VAT and Duties Tribunal has decided that the Isle of Wight Council and three other local authorities do not have to charge VAT on car parking in their areas. This Business Brief article explains action that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be taking pending an appeal.
Background
Under art 4(5) of the EC Sixth VAT Directive, activities of public bodies are not regarded as being carried on by way of business for VAT purposes, if they do so under a statutory regime that is unique to the public sector (“special legal regime”), unless this would significantly distort competition with private sector bodies carrying on the same activity.
In an earlier decision (LON/00/653) dated 6 April 2004, the Tribunal found that the Isle of Wight Council provides off-street car parking spaces under such a special legal