The appellants sold a system protecting credit card holders against the consequences of loss or theft. They claimed that it was insurance and exempt from VAT. The commissioners said it was a service and vatable. The card provided a range of services for those who had lost a card, and laid off the costs against their own re-insurance. The European Court had defined insurance as the payment of a premium, to provide the insured, in the event of materialisation of the risk covered, with the service agreed when the contract was concluded. The commissioners held that two services were included, one of insurance, and one of the registration of an individual’s card and other details.
Held: The dominant purpose of the contract was for insurance. Others were ancillary or minor. (Slynn) ‘the court’s task is to have regard to the ‘essential features of the transaction’ to see whether it is ‘several distinct principal services’ or a single service and that what from an economic point of view is in reality a single service should not be ‘artificially split’. It seems that an overall view should be taken and over-zealous dissecting and analysis of particular clauses should be avoided.’ The court should asking itself ‘what is the essential feature of the scheme or its dominant purpose – perhaps why objectively people are likely to want to join it’.
Judges:
Lord Slynn of Hadley Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle Lord Nolan Lord Steyn Lord Hoffmann
Citations:
Times 06-Feb-2001, Gazette 01-Mar-2001, [2001] UKHL 4, [2001] 2 ALL ER 143, [2001] 2 WLR 329, [2002] 1 AC 202
Links:
Statutes:
Sixth Council Directive (77/388/EEC) (OJ 1977 L145/1), Value Added Tax Act 1983 17(1)
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Citing:
Referred back – Card Protection Plan Ltd v Commissioners of Customs and Excise ECJ 25-Feb-1999
A company procuring insurance purchases for credit card protection was as exempt from VAT as was the insurer. A provision which restricted the ability to claim such exemption to those registered as insurers under national was invalid under European . .
Cited by:
Referred back – Card Protection Plan Ltd v Commissioners of Customs and Excise ECJ 25-Feb-1999
A company procuring insurance purchases for credit card protection was as exempt from VAT as was the insurer. A provision which restricted the ability to claim such exemption to those registered as insurers under national was invalid under European . .
Cited – College of Estate Management v Commissioners of Customs and Excise ChD 13-Nov-2003
The college appealed a finding that the supply of course manuals to its students was part of its exempt rather than zero-rated supply.
Held: ‘Once it is decided that there is a single supply from an economic view which should not be . .
Cited – College of Estate Management v Commissioners of Customs and Excise CA 11-Aug-2004
When offering courses to distance learning students, the College offered materials for the courses. As part of the course this supply would be exempt, as books, the supply would be zero-rated, but the taxpayer would be able to reclaim its VAT . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
VAT, Banking, Insurance
Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.78887