We help you give and we strengthen the causes you give to

Generosity is our cause

Submenu title

Back

row of tiny houses

VAT: Churches renting property for their activities

When a landlord rents space to a tenant, the landlord can exercise an 'option to tax' the transaction at the standard rate of VAT. Whilst this may be useful for the landlord, where a church is the tenant it is unlikely that the church will be able to recover any of the VAT, in effect raising the cost of renting property by some 20%. This paper explains the problem from a church perspective and sets out a solution.

Topics included:

  • The problem outlined;
  • Some practical details and definitions;
  • Recovering past VAT charges;
  • Certification of relevant charitable purpose;
  • An important exception

Sharpen

Quarterly emails for trustees, treasurers and Church and Charity Leaders. Practical tools, technical resources and expert guidance to safeguard your mission and ministry.