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Assisted purchase scheme for instruments

Students can now purchase new instruments without paying VAT, saving an extra 17.5%.

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme is strictly for pupils attending local authority schools who receive musical tuition by a Portsmouth Music Instrumental Teacher as part of the curriculum.

The scheme was approved by HM Customs and Excise and reviewed in September 1994 by the VAT Office. The scheme operates nationwide through schools, music centres and education authorities.

How it works

• The pupil/parent selects an instrument
• The parent pays the VAT free figure to the school
• The school places an official order
• The school is invoiced with the full amount inclusive of VAT
• The school claims the VAT in the usual way
• The pupil collects the instrument from the school

Rules

There are conditions to abide by to be able to use this scheme:

• The pupil must be in full-time education at a Local Authority school.
• Pupils must be either receiving tuition at the school as part of their curriculum or receiving private tuition in support of a curricular activity such as GCSE music.
• The instrument must be appropriate for the pupil's needs.
• The instrument must be portable.
• The instrument must initially be sent to the school and then passed to the pupil in a designated teaching room.
• The instrument must be charged to the pupil at or below the normal schools cost, exclusive of VAT (in other words non-profit making).

For more information

If you would like to know more, please contact the Portsmouth Music Service on telephone 023 9231 5815.

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