VAT on printed products - what are the rules?

Before George Osborne announced the 2011 budget, there were rumours that VAT would be added on leaflets but fortunately this is not the case this time around.

Many printers scoot around the VAT issue on printed products - some will charge it on everything they print, others don't charge it at all - so let's clarify the rules...

• Marketing material including leaflets, menus, brochures and posters are all zero rated
• If the leaflet will be used as a ticket or if it includes a discount voucher or form, it will be charged at the standard rate of VAT
• Only paper weights are zero rated, not card so if you're ordering anything over 200gsm you will be charged VAT

So the bad news is you will pay VAT on your stationery, such as business cards, letterheads, comp slips and pads but you can market and advertise your business without the VAT so let's get selling!