ABSTRACT
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax on the consumption of goods and services. The UK adopted VAT when it joined the European Community in 1973. The principal source of European law in relation to VAT is the EC Sixth Directive 77/388 which is currently restated and consolidated in the UK through the VAT Act 1994 and various Statutory Instruments as amended by subsequent Finance Acts. The tax is administered in the UK by HM Customs & Excise.
