We know that VAT can be confusing, and some clients have asked why Care and Repair Edinburgh (CRE) charge their clients VAT — particularly as they are over 60 or living with a disability.
As a VAT-registered charity, CRE is legally required to charge VAT on the services and materials provided. This is not something we choose to do — it’s a requirement set out by HMRC and applies to most VAT-registered organisations, including charities.
Where possible, we strive to keep costs low and buy materials in bulk — such as handrails, grabrails, and keysafes — directly from trusted suppliers. This helps us offer the best possible value to all of our clients.
However, because we support a wide range of people aged 60+ both with and without disabilities, not everyone we help qualifies for VAT relief.
We are unable to claim individual VAT exemptions when buying in bulk.
To qualify for VAT relief on materials, purchases must be made for and by an individual who meets HMRC’s criteria and this needs to be clearly documented in the application.
In many cases, CRE won’t know if a client has a disability unless they choose to tell us. We fully respect our clients’ privacy so we never ask for medical information unless it’s necessary for the service.
If you prefer to source materials yourself, you might be able to buy them VAT-free if you meet HMRC’s conditions and complete a VAT exemption form. However, the price will likely be higher for individual buyers — and our labour (installation work) will still be subject to VAT.
While VAT is a government tax and not set by us, we’re proud that our overall prices are highly competitive and much lower than commercial providers.
As a charity we don’t aim to make a profit — just to cover our running costs and keep delivering support to the people of Edinburgh where it’s needed.
If you have any questions about VAT or any of our services we are always happy to help — just get in touch on 0131 337 1111 or email us on recepition@cre.scot
