Taxation logo taxation mission text

Since 1927 the leading authority on tax law, practice and administration

Something extra

16 January 2008
Issue: 4141 / Categories: Tax cases
Total UK Ltd v CRC, Court of Appeal, 18 October 2007

Total UK Ltd operated a customer loyalty scheme TOPS. Customers became registered cardholders and collected points for every litre of fuel purchased which they subsequently could exchange for gift vouchers which could be used in a variety of high street stores.

The taxpayer company said that the amounts on which it was due to pay output tax should be reduced by the amounts equal to the cost it incurred in purchasing the vouchers.

The VAT tribunal disagreed but the High Court later overturned that decision.

The Court of Appeal ruled that there was no suggestion that the vouchers constituted money off or cash back in respect of fuel purchases.

The scheme documentation focused on the fact that customers got something extra through participating in the scheme.

Thus the transfer of a voucher to the customer did not reduce the amount paid in respect of fuel. The point...

If you or your firm subscribes to Taxation.co.uk, please click the login box below:

If you are not a subscriber but are a registered user or have a free trial, please enter your details in the following boxes:

Alternatively, you can register free of charge to read a limited amount of subscriber content per month.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email directing you back to read this item in full.

Please reach out to customer services at +44 (0) 330 161 1234 or 'customer.services@lexisnexis.co.uk' for further assistance.

back to top icon