{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/vat-rates","content_id":"f838c22a-b2aa-49be-bd95-153f593293a3","description":"Current VAT rates - standard 20% and rates for reduced rate and zero-rated items","details":{"body":"\n<div class=\"highlight-answer\">\n<p>The standard VAT rate is <em>20%</em></p>\n</div>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n  <p>This guide is also available <a href=\"/cyfraddau-taw\">in Welsh (Cymraeg)</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"vat-rates-for-goods-and-services\">\n<abbr title=\"Value Added Tax\">VAT</abbr> rates for goods and services</h2>\n\n<table>\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <td></td>\n      <th scope=\"col\">% of <abbr title=\"Value Added Tax\">VAT</abbr>\n</th>\n      <th scope=\"col\">What the rate applies to</th>\n    </tr>\n  </thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">Standard rate</th>\n      <td>20%</td>\n      <td>Most goods and services</td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">Reduced rate</th>\n      <td>5%</td>\n      <td>Some goods and services, for example, children’s car seats and home energy</td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">Zero rate</th>\n      <td>0%</td>\n      <td>Zero-rated goods and services, for example,  most food and children’s clothes</td>\n    </tr>\n  </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<p>The standard rate of <abbr title=\"Value Added Tax\">VAT</abbr> increased to 20% on 4 January 2011 (from 17.5%).</p>\n\n<p>Some things are exempt from <abbr title=\"Value Added Tax\">VAT</abbr>, such as postage stamps, financial and property transactions.</p>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"/vat-businesses/vat-rates\"><abbr title=\"Value Added Tax\">VAT</abbr> rate businesses charge</a> depends on their goods and services.</p>\n\n<p>Check the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/rates-of-vat-on-different-goods-and-services\">rates of <abbr title=\"Value Added Tax\">VAT</abbr></a> on different goods and 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