Move will significantly harm the heritage sector, CPA predicts

The government has proposed abolishing VAT relief on refurbishing listed buildings in what one observer predicted would significantly harm heritage specialists in the industry.

In a document released alongside today鈥檚 Budget, HM Revenue & Customs said a consultation would be held until early May on proposals to scrap that the tax relief on 鈥渁pproved alterations鈥� to listed buildings as part of a move to simplify VAT rules.

Such improvements to listed buildings are currently zero-rated for VAT while repairs attract the full 20% rate. The proposal is to bring approved alterations up to the same level as repairs from October 1st.

Noble Francis, economics director of the Construction Products Association, said the move would hit a niche part of the industry already suffering since the recession.

鈥淭his is only going to cause the heritage sector more harm,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut ironically, it could speed up work on heritage buildings before October because people who wish to alter listed buildings will want to do so in the next six months.鈥�

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