VAT in Education Explained - Key Issues & Practical Insights

Introduction

This new virtual classroom seminar provides a clear overview of how VAT applies across the wide and varied education sector. It will then take a closer look at three key areas - higher education, academies, and private schools - each of which has its own distinct VAT considerations.

Ideal for in-house finance teams, accountants and their advisers, this session will explore the core VAT issues and equip you with the tools to identify and reflect on the wider implications relevant to your own organisations.

Packed with practical insights, this session covers a broad range of topics in a concise format. A solid understanding of general VAT principles is therefore assumed.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• A brief overview of VAT in the education sector - higher education, further education, local authorities, academies and private schools
• Supplies and income - what is the VAT liability? (focus on higher education, academies and private schools):
• ‘Eligible bodies’
• Fees, bursaries, and subsidies, etc.
• How private schools are affected
• ’Closely related’ goods and services
• Distinguishing between ‘business’ (taxable and exempt) and ‘non- business’ income for VAT purposes, and the resulting effect on input tax
• Grants, donations, or sponsorship?
• Breakfast and after school clubs
• Transport and school trips
• Vocational training and private tuition
• International services and what to think about
• Other things:
• Exam fees
• English as a foreign language
• Supplies e.g. of staff to other educational institutions
• Catering - in-house and catering contracts
• Sales for courses, and from school shops
• Claiming input tax correctly (focus on higher education, academies and private schools):
• The rules, requirements, and evidence needed
• ‘Blocked’ input tax
• Partial exemption/non-business apportionment method:
• The special position of academies
• Pre-registration input tax opportunities
• Brief overview of VAT impact of capital and building projects
• Brief guidance on VAT return completion

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.