BB/7C/03 VAT—exemption of call centre services in the insurance sectorBusiness Brief, Issue 7. 1 July 2003Following a recent VAT and Duties Tribunal decision, this article explains Customs' revised policy on the VAT treatment of call centre services where the call centre is attempting to sell insurance by cold calling and is able to put the insurer “on risk” at the point of sale.The tribunal decisionThe appeal involved TeleTech, a company providing call centre and IT support services to a wide range of clients. The decision related to the services supplied to an insurance company. TeleTech cold called people using contact lists provided by the insurer and attempted to sell them health insurance products. The products were very straightforward and the telephone operatives were selected mainly for their expertise in call handling and selling. Only a small percentage of calls led to sales and TeleTech was paid on a flat fee rather than commission basis.Customs ruled that TeleTech's services fell outside the exemption for insurance related services, arguing that TeleTech's services were principally of an
Business Brief, Issue 7. 1 July 2003
Following a recent VAT and Duties Tribunal decision, this article explains Customs' revised policy on the VAT treatment of call centre services where the call centre is attempting to sell insurance by cold calling and is able to put the insurer “on risk” at the point of sale.
The appeal involved TeleTech, a company providing call centre and IT support services to a wide range of clients. The decision related to the services supplied to an insurance company. TeleTech cold called people using contact lists provided by the insurer and attempted to sell them health insurance products. The products were very straightforward and the telephone operatives were selected mainly for their expertise in call handling and selling. Only a small percentage of calls led to sales and TeleTech was paid on a flat fee rather than commission basis.
Customs ruled that TeleTech's services fell outside the exemption for insurance related services, arguing that TeleTech's services were principally of an
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