Deposit Return Schemes: VAT

(asked on 3rd March 2022) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include clarifications for drinks producers on the application of VAT on deposits in their response to the consultation on introducing a Deposit Return Scheme, which closed on 4 June 2021.


Answered by
Baroness Penn Portrait
Baroness Penn
Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
This question was answered on 16th March 2022
It is a fundamental principle of VAT that all amounts paid for the purchase of goods are subject to VAT, including amounts under drinks deposit return schemes (DRS). The Government is committed to making DRS work effectively and is exploring how the VAT regulations may be amended to support the schemes. HMRC will issue guidance on the application of VAT to deposit refunds in advance of the introduction of any scheme.
Reticulating Splines