Lastminute.com, Secret Hotels and VAT

[dezze]

I was in London on Wednesday, and had to stay over at short notice. I was told about the Secret hotels option on lastminute.com - I tried it and got a pretty good price for a great hotel near the office. The problem I have is that the hotel only gave me a VAT receipt for the room service I had. The actual room wasn't included on the receipt.

I checked my booking from lastminute.com, and at the bottom it states that VAT invoice cannot be provided - which I didn't get until I'd paid anyway.

Anyone else had this? I've had a search and found this...

'Tour Operators Margin Scheme (TOMS) where Customs' guidance notes say VAT invoices cannot be raised. ' - which is used by lastminute.com

Is this right? Sounds odd that an organisation charges VAT (I presume) but you can't reclaim it.

I'll take it up on Monday, but wondered if anyone else has had the same.

Sorry if this has been discussed before - searched but couldn't find anything (before NLUK starts). I've emailed the hotel to see if they can issue me an invoice, but I think that may be an issue as they don't receive the full amount I paid for the room.

[Spacecadet]

(I might be wrong) If you are flat rate VAT registered then you don't need a VAT receipt.
If you don't have a VAT receipt then you can't reclaim the VAT

[SueEllen]

(I might be wrong) If you are flat rate VAT registered then you don't need a VAT receipt.
If you don't have a VAT receipt then you can't reclaim the VAT

WHS

Linky


God the web is good.

[UglyBetty]

Normally, any company that is registered for VAT is legally obliged to display their VAT number and issue an invoice with the VAT clearly identified.

However, there is an exception for companies registered outside the EU who are selling electronic services.

HM Revenue & Customs

I don't think this applies here - AFAIK electronic services doesn't mean e-commerce - it means services that are delivered electronically.

[cojak]

I had the same problem with Expedia before the Flat Rate came along.

It was an expensive mistake and I didn't make it again. I use LateRooms these days, they do give you a VAT receipt.

[dezze]

Update

After an initial knock back by Guest Services at the hotel (Grange Tower Bridge), another Guest Services person I spoke with sent me a VAT invoice for the full amount I paid lastminute.com and has instructed the other staff members to do the same in future.

So it looks like they can if they want. Worked out cheaper than the Travelodge up the road.

[psychocandy]

As someone said, if flat rate registered it dont matter anyway.

[dezze]

As someone said, if flat rate registered it dont matter anyway.

Very true.