Rank submits bingo VAT claim

11th Dec 2009 07:24

Casinos and bingo outfit Rank said it has submitted a claim for VAT overpaid on main stage bingo for periods from July 2004.If successful, Rank estimates that the net cash benefit arising from this claim will be approximately £16m.'Rank notes the recent guidance received from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) regarding claims for VAT overpaid on games of bingo. HMRC's 'Revenue & Customs Brief 75/09' states that VAT claims on main stage bingo will be treated in the same way as similar claims relating to interval bingo,' said the group.In 2008, the VAT & Duties Tribunal ruled that the application of VAT to revenue from games of interval bingo contravened the European Union principle of fiscal neutrality. In June 2009 this ruling was upheld by the High Court. HMRC continues to appeal the ruling and its appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal in April 2010.