VAT Relief
If you have a disability or long-term illness, you won’t be charged VAT on any of our products that are designed or adapted to help you with your disability and are for personal use. Services related to the product are also eligible for VAT relief. Both the product/service and the product user have to be eligible for VAT relief.
Products and services that qualify for VAT exemption
Products
Products that are designed or adapted for a disability can be purchased VAT free. This means almost all Opera products can be VAT relieved. Examples include:
Services
Most services related to the purchase of your product also qualify for VAT relief. Anything associated with the setup and maintenance of your Opera product will qualify. These include:
- Assembly and installation of the product
- Maintenance and repairs
- Spare parts or accessories
Please note:
Carriage-only service charges are not eligible for VAT relief.
How to verify whether you are eligible for VAT relief
To get our products VAT free, firstly your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:
- You have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities (e.g. blindness)
- You have a named medical condition that is treated as chronic sickness (e.g. multiple sclerosis, diabetes)
- You’re terminally ill
You do not qualify if you’re elderly but able-bodied, or if you’re temporarily disabled (e.g. broken limb). Also, you are only eligible for VAT relief if the products you are purchasing are for personal use. Care homes, home care agencies, or trade organisations using products for business use are not eligible and pay VAT in full.
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Example Conditions that Qualify
Any recognised or named long-term medical condition qualifies for VAT relief. This includes:
- Parkinson's
- Arthritis
- Alzheimer's
- Diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis
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Conditions that Don't Qualify
Whilst most medical conditions qualify, anything that isn't long-term or specifically named will not. This could be:
- Broken limbs
- Old age (with no medical diagnosis)
- Short-term illness
- Viruses or infections
How to get VAT relief on your order
When ordering with us, getting products VAT free is really simple. We require written confirmation that you meet the criteria detailed above and also a brief description of your medical condition (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's). This is a form that is filled out at checkout stage when ordering online, or by email when ordering over the phone.
You pay without VAT and then delivery of goods will take place once the VAT relief form has been completed and approved.
The simple process to claiming VAT relief
Select Your Products and Receive Quotation
Add your products to cart or call us for a verbal/email quotation. You will get an order total and the amount of VAT that can be removed.
Complete Simple Form When You Order
Complete a simple online declaration form that will ask you for your name and medical condition. Do this at checkout online or we will email you the form if ordering over the phone.
VAT Relief Applied and You Pay Without VAT
Proceed to payment for your order where you pay without any VAT. There is no VAT charge and refunded later - you don't pay it in the first instance.
VAT relief for charities
Support and funding charities for the elderly and disabled can purchase our products VAT free. You will be required to prove your eligibility in writing by completing a form which will also require your charity number.
Have more questions on VAT relief and eligibility?
View detailed guidance on gov.uk or call us on 0333 222 8584.
