gov.uk/gui…ces
An official government list of VAT exempt products/services (which some companies try to add onto our bills). I checked after Amazon tried charging me VAT on work boots that meet VAT exempt standards. But plenty more I will be checking now I know ( I'll be claiming the VAT back on my helicopter repairs next)
An official government list of VAT exempt products/services (which some companies try to add onto our bills). I checked after Amazon tried charging me VAT on work boots that meet VAT exempt standards. But plenty more I will be checking now I know ( I'll be claiming the VAT back on my helicopter repairs next)
49 Comments
sorted byAccording to Amazon Services Europe Business Solutions Agreement S-8 Tax Matters:
(b) If you are in business and established in a European Union country, but you do not have a VAT registration number issued by one of the European Union countries, then you will be able to provide Amazon with other evidence that you are in business. Acceptable evidence is a copy of a recent corporate tax return or an official document issued by a government agency proving that you are in business. Once your evidence is reviewed and accepted by Amazon, VAT will not be charged by Amazon on the fees hereunder provided you are not established in Luxembourg. You hereby give the following warranties and representations, namely: (i) that the evidence you submit to Amazon belongs to the business you operate, and that business is established in one of the European Union countries; (ii) that all transactions regarding the services will be business-related transactions made by the business associated with the evidence you submit to Amazon; and (iii) that the evidence and all other information provided by you is true, accurate and current and you will immediately update any such information held by Amazon in case of any changes.
I got over 6k back due to this.
I just hope people get the money back Amazon have been stealing of people.
Yup, you have to be persistent though.
I just quoted them the rule a few times then told them they shouldn't charge be vat for it. Went back and forth but eventually they admitted. Took few months for then to calculate it, but it worked.
Understand it yourself then make your case.
I've done it in the passed for a few family members for a commission, it's a lot of pain, but worth it if you can make them pay out.
Good luck
What a top guy
If you hadn't have posted I'd never have known.
Amazon just confirmed I shouldn't be paying vat on fees. Accepted my 'evidence' and told me to apply for backdated refund after next invoice is generated.
I'm really glad people are getting back what they deserve.
You can just continue on this trail, by asking them to keep case open till next invoice, so it's all together.
Congratulations on beating Amazon's theft
More info on this if you've got it please mate, I've paid them about 20k in fee's this year
According to Amazon Services Europe Business Solutions Agreement S-8 Tax Matters:
(b) If you are in business and established in a European Union country, but you do not have a VAT registration number issued by one of the European Union countries, then you will be able to provide Amazon with other evidence that you are in business. Acceptable evidence is a copy of a recent corporate tax return or an official document issued by a government agency proving that you are in business. Once your evidence is reviewed and accepted by Amazon, VAT will not be charged by Amazon on the fees hereunder provided you are not established in Luxembourg. You hereby give the following warranties and representations, namely: (i) that the evidence you submit to Amazon belongs to the business you operate, and that business is established in one of the European Union countries; (ii) that all transactions regarding the services will be business-related transactions made by the business associated with the evidence you submit to Amazon; and (iii) that the evidence and all other information provided by you is true, accurate and current and you will immediately update any such information held by Amazon in case of any changes.
Therefore, according to this I should not have been charged VAT all this time.
None of that should matter, they should not be charging this on anyone at all. You should be able to back date it too.
Blame the politicians for creating the loopholes in the tax laws. The companies are doing their job of minimising their taxes.
Is it same for eBay?
As far as I know its just amazon
Excellent. I hope more folk keep an eye out for these dodgy VAT charges.
yeah I've tried, they just wouldn't have it. Felt like too much effort there.
Im actually an Amazon seller too, i sold for a few years without being VAT registered, so your saying i can claim back all the VAT fees they charged me on the fees ? How would i go about doing that ?
I'm not really sure what more info I can give to be honest, you just got to read through the policy.
Read up:
sellercentral.amazon.co.uk/gp/…521
S-6 Tax Matters.
This explains it and you just keep quoting it to seller support. They may ask for your company reg of your companies house. Just battle it out with them.
To be perfectly honest, its a bit difficult to explain, but the more you read the more you'll understand.
It's difficult fighting a power house like Amazon, but don't give up , you need to fight for your money.
Hopefully it helps.
I'd be interested in some info too please.
What sort of commission are we talking..would be great to work something out!
I took 20% of their refund.
But I've not done it for anyone outside the family, so not sure if I'd be interested to be honest. As it would be too long forming a contract and all.
I suggest try it yourself, I'm sure as you are an amazon seller you will figure it out and be perisstant enough.
But definetly do it, as once you get they acknowledge it, you no longer pay the tax on every fee they charge. So you only need to do this once.
Thanks for your reply.
Just to clarify-
Im a non vat registered seller.
Am I right in thinking they should not charge be vat on their selling fees.
Yup. both VAT registered sellers and Non Vat registered sellers are not meant to pay vat on selling fees amazon charge.
As far as I see it, amazon pocket that for themselves.
It's a very unusual thing, as in normal circumstances amazon should, but they have this exception given to them by the EU.
Just to be clear I have confirmed this with a lawyer and accountant, they both said that according to that link I posted Amazon should not be charging tax on their fees for any business.
I've blindly paid it as part of my fees. Thank you.
Would you mind sharing what information I will need to provide, what they will ask for.
Could you share templates or emails you've sent?
That's all I used and kept rewording it.
Then they will take a few weeks and calculate for you.
Then it may take a few months for it to show up on your account. But you will get it.
Thank you so much.
Does it matter when the company was registered or if the company no longer exists?
What if someone is a sole trader.
Just trying to cover all the bases with the intention that it may help someone
I'll keep you updated with progress..
I'll be doing my calculations tomorrow!
Thank you again. (edited)
Especially when it's most the time 20%!!
I agree but pity they (Amazon) can't help us do the same
Are you suggesting that maybe, just maybe... The tax system in this country is in someway corrupt and over complicated and that the loopholes/oversights are in fact just designed for fat cats to milk the system?
I I'd ask you to explain that, but it would be asking too much.
In my mind it is ironic that they can find ways of not paying a decent amount of tax on their earnings in this country yet charge us tax (VAT) when, under certain circumstances, they really shouldn't be doing so & from the comments above are obstructive in refunding the taxes they shouldn't have charged..... that may be as clear as mud but it is the way I am thinking
Or politicians won't close them because they have businesses to.
Amazon's first job is to maximise value for their shareholders, the folks who bet on them, not anyone else. This expectation that companies should find a way to pay more tax doesn't make any sense to me. Why would they do that, when the tax laws allow them to do whatever they do to reduce their tax bill? Would you happily give up your £12,500 tax free allowance? Or your ISA account?
By the way, if you invest in any mutual funds or pension fund, chances are they own Amazon shares.
Don't disagree with anything you say but they don't have any problem charging others who shouldn't be paying, or making it difficult for them to get a refund on over payment.
I think we have discussed this long enough, I like this site because the comments are normally very good & comical but this has become tiresome. If it helps end this to & fro'ing I will admit I am wrong in my opinion (edited)
How long did they take to review your evidence and what did you supply please?
Thanks
They just wanted to see a Sole Trader Certificate or a Certificate of Incorporation
They keep messing me about and going around in circles with me.