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The fact I paid VAT on my Nikon D610 means it takes better pictures than the D800 I bought from Panamoz, where VAT wasn't paid...
Re: Grey imports. To the OP - there are some members on here who are pathologically opposed to buying grey imports to avoid paying VAT. In my opinion it is entirely up to you whether you go down that route or not. Only thing to be careful about is which company you go with - some are more reliable than others.
The fact I paid VAT on my Nikon D610 means it takes better pictures than the D800 I bought from Panamoz, where VAT wasn't paid...
It is of course entirely up to him - but equally there is a very key point that as a new business his purchases will come in for scrunity from HMRC - who are very much 'pathologically opposed' to tax evasion - so handing them evidence that you've committed it wouldnt be too bright.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying from abroad (thatt is grey importing) if you declare your purchase and pay the appropriate tax - but like it or not tax evasion (whether by smuggling or false declaration) is a crime - so yes there are members here who oppose it just as many oppose insurance fraud, stealing cameras out of peoples cars, or buying stolen goods from dodgy characters round the back of the dog and duck.
It is down to every members concience whether they obey the law or break it - but if you choose to do the latter (especially as a business) I'd strongly advise not admitting it on an internet forum. I'd also strongly advise not sending receipts that demonstrate it to the HMRC as part of your tax return.
You imagine two scenarios here which a new photography business may encounter. But in my experience and opinion both are so unlikely to happen that I would suggest they are scare stories you have created to support the views you are so well known for.
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so you think its unlikely that a new business will be asked to submit its receipts to support its return to HMRC in year 1 ? - I'd have said there was a better than even chance personally. ( I know I was back in the day, plus if he's funding the buy with a grant from a enterprise council there's a virtual certainty that they'll want copies of the receipts). In either of those cases regardless of where you stand on the morality of evading vat you'd have to be pretty daft to submit evidence of not paying appropriate taxes to a Government body
at the end of the day there's no argument as its entirely the OPs choice whether he chooses to buy grey or not, and he's already chosen 'not' in post #13
In general terms my advice would be that if someone has bought a camera (or anything else) without paying VAT and import tax it would be wise to not try to then claim that camera as a business expense to avoid the risk outlined above.
and in that case the calculation of whether a grey import represents best value shifts , because the money saved in Vat and IT , may not equal the money lost by not claiming the asset.
Buy grey from HDEW with a vat receipt. Money saved, job done.
I'm very surprised that the grant scheme will not pay the vat. In fact, I don't believe it. It just doesn't make any sense. More likely, it is a clumsy way of ensuring that you are making a financial contribution, which does make sense.
I'm very surprised that the grant scheme will not pay the vat. In fact, I don't believe it. It just doesn't make any sense. More likely, it is a clumsy way of ensuring that you are making a financial contribution, which does make sense.
And I'm also disbelieving of your 'business advisor' suggesting you look to avoid the vat. They don't appear very business savvy. Which, thinking about it, is about par for 'business advisors'. If they had any nous they would be running a successful business.
Nobody should be comfortable doing business with a company or person who is bending or breaking the law in some way, such as fiddling their taxes.....
Maybe for a photography business/Profession?. You can claim back VAT on various items. Gear, transport, fuel, even insurance for camera gear.
You can't claim back VAT on insurance as there is no VAT on insurance!