Do I Charge VAT on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is usually subject to a standard rate of VAT, but due to the current circumstances surrounding the coronavirus, the government have introduced a temporary relief.
Between 1 May 2020 and 31 October 2020 you do not need to charge VAT on PPE.
The government has put this measure in place to relieve the burden of VAT on purchasing PPE used for protection from coronavirus.
This temporary change will aid sectors that cannot recover VAT on such goods due to their VAT exempt status, such as care homes, but will benefit all consumers.
The government are happy to answer any questions regarding this change via their email ppe@hmrc.gov.uk.
If you have any questions regarding any aspect of VAT, please don’t hesitate to contact our in-house experts.
Please note: This article is a commentary on general principles and should not be interpreted as advice for your specific situation.