Is there a legal way

[brenda]

to avoid paying VAT.

[Buenchico]

If you buy goods and services from traders whose turnover is too low for them to be registered for VAT you won't have to (directly) pay it. However, as far as goods are concerned, it's likely that the trader will have had to pay VAT on his purchases, which will effectively get passed onto you in his pricing. However for transactions which are purely for services (such as website design) there will be no VAT involved at all if you use a non-VAT registered trader.

Alternatively, simply avoid goods and services which have VAT on them. You could still buy most foods as usual. Buying secondhand clothes and electrical goods (e.g. from charity shops) would avoid VAT. You could also buy your books and newspapers without paying VAT. VAT isn't charged on public transport fares. So, in theory, it's possible to live a VAT-free life.

Chris

[askyourgran]

Ha buenchico, may mates uncle said that when he committed suicide in a vat of 12 year old Glenlivet. She didn't tell me that until I'd finished a bottle of it a few weeks ago.

[brenda]

Thank you both for your answers -- interesting. And what a way to go gran !!!!!

[Invictas]

Move to Jersey or Guernsey.
Residents there are not liable for UK VAT,even if the goods were purchased from the UK,or even if they were delivered to a UK address,providing the purchaser is registered as a resident of either of the Channel Islands.

[brenda]

invictas , if only -- thank you.

[jaydah]

keep your income below £65k

[Lindylou]

Registered disabled. If you buy something SOLELY for the use of disabled people, then you don't have to pay VAT. Mind you, that's difficult. My charity wanted to install electronic doors (£8,000 worth) in a unit for spinal injured patients, i.e. wheelchair patients, - but we were asked to prove that abled-bodied (i.e. nurses, doctors, OT's, Physios) wouldn't use the doors. What??!!

[factor-fiction]

Only buy items that don't attract VAT such as children's clothes and food.

[Whickerman]

if you are a company, and your primary sales are export, and you register and get a VAT exemption cert, you don't pay VAT.

[brenda]

Thanks again for all your answers.

[whiskeryron]

what askyourgran didn't mention about the guy in the vat of whiskey is that he fell in accidentally & drowned, they discovered later that he got out 3 times for a pee.