Managing VAT in the Performing Arts

Course Overview

VAT is a challenging issue for most venues. The objective of this seminar is to equip participants with the knowledge to ensure that their performing arts organisation is both VAT compliant and VAT efficient.

Suitable For:

Finance personnel and senior management in performing arts organisations who deal with VAT on a regular basis and would like to increase their understanding of relevant VAT issues.

Course Outline

It will be divided into two sessions. The first session will deal with key areas of compliance risk where issues often arise for theatres. The second session will focus on areas where VAT savings and cost efficiencies can be achieved.

Session 1 - Compliance

· The VAT treatment applicable to typical revenue streams;

· Eligibility for cultural exemption;

· Distinguishing grants from transactions;

· What constitutes non-business activity and its implications;

· Venue and Facility Hires;

· Determining the deductibility of input VAT;

· Stepping through the partial exemption minefield.

Session 2 - Planning

· Reducing the cost of non-recoverable input VAT on productions;

· VAT efficient production agreements;

· Identifying reliefs from VAT on expenditure;

· VAT optimal Supporter packages;

· Maximising taxable income for input VAT recovery purposes;

· VAT structuring for building projects.

Kevin will take you through each topic using practical examples drawn from his extensive experience in advising theatres on VAT issues. This will be an interactive session with plenty of opportunity for questions.

Learning Outcomes

Have a sound working knowledge of the key VAT issues relevant to your organisation as well as an understanding of areas in which you can reduce VAT costs.

Trainer

Kevin Cresswell is the founder of Value Added Consultancy which is the only practice in the UK with a dedicated specialism in VAT issues affecting theatres and production companies. His clients include over 60 cultural organisations throughout the UK. This enables him to draw on a deep level of practical experience and to use that pro-actively in bringing to you relevant issues that he has previously encountered with other similar organisations. He was previously an indirect taxes partner at Deloitte for 13 years and during this time he developed a particular interest in the cultural sector, which led to his involvement in several leading cases which influenced the treatment of VAT on cultural services in the UK. He is also a regular speaker on VAT issues affecting the sector. This all helps him to maintain a strong insight from which to optimise your VAT position.

Tickets

This is an in-person only course. The trainer will be attending in-person at Rose Street.

EARLYBIRD - SOLT & UK Theatre Members can book before 29 January 2025*

*SOLT & UK Theatre reserve the right to close Earlybird bookings early depending on capacity and demand

Tea, Coffee & Biscuits will be provided.

Refunds and Cancellations

You can cancel up until 10 working days prior to the course, and receive a full refund (not including Eventbrite Fees, which are non-refundable). Any cancellations after this will not be refunded, but tickets can be transferred to a future course up to one year later. For full terms, please see the section below.

Accessibility Information

If you are attending in-person, please visit the UK Theatre Accessibility page on our website for detailed information.

• Attendees who require a Carer or Personal Assistant to accompany them on the course can book a free Carer ticket by emailing [email protected].
• Ramp access at ground floor level (there is otherwise one step into the building).
• Reception and conference rooms are located on the first floor of the building. This can be accessed by the lift or via 25 stairs. Accessible toilets are available on the first and second floors.
• Assistance Dogs welcome throughout the building and to all events - the nearest park is Victoria Embankment Gardens (by Embankment tube station - a 0.3 miles away).
• Hearing loop systems are available in the meeting and conference rooms.
• Regular breaks will be scheduled throughout the afternoon.

Please email [email protected] if you have any additional access requirements or any questions.

Host or Publisher UK Theatre