13pc VAT on gig tickets - CLUAS Irish Indie Music

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Last Post 9/11/2006 11:32 AM by Pol

13pc VAT on gig tickets

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Pol

Basic Member
Posts:113

9/11/2006 11:32 AM
Scum bags http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si= 1686229&issue_id=14630 Festival fans to be hit with 13pc VAT on gig tickets CONCERT goers are facing a 13.5pc rise in ticket prices next year as part of a Revenue Commissioners crackdown on unpaid VAT. The Government is set to earn millions of extra euro from the ticket tax, which will cover events like the Oxegen music festival and concerts in venues across the country. Tickets for music festivals and gigs escaped VAT charges in the past due to a tax exemption introduced in 1985 for live theatrical and musical events. The Revenue Commissioners have now told music promoters that VAT must be charged on tickets if 'substantial snacks, hot food or alcoholic drink' are served during the music festival or gig. The Revenue has issued a special leaflet to clear up any 'confusion' and has stated that tickets for events taking place before January could be sold 'in accordance with current practices'. The VAT rate will apply to tickets for comedy shows, which are also classed as live theatrical events. There will also be a 13.5pc VAT charge on booking fees, ticket agents' commission and promoters' fees. Holohan Event Management, which has worked on festivals like Electric Picnic and Hi-Fi Ireland, said the cost of tickets could rise by another €20 if gardai introduce charges for providing the security outside the perimeters of venues. "Ultimately any increase in charges is going to go back on the ticket because the promoter is going to try to maintain his level of margin," said the company's chairman Gar Holohan. Concert promoters have always paid for the cost of garda security at events, but under the Garda Siochana 2005 Act, they are liable for the cost of garda services outside the perimeter. Mr Holohan said negotiations would be taking place on the charges. "You're talking about for the Electric Picnic next year, the Government will be taking in the region of €700,000 in VAT. And if you look at that, how can you then justify €100,000 going out to the Gardai as well?" he said. According to the Revenue, the new VAT charge will not apply to events such as theatre plays and operas, even though food and alcoholic drinks are served at the venues. This is because the food and drink are not permitted to be consumed during the performance. The VAT charge will not be applied to events where only cold snacks, sweets and soft drinks can be consumed.

comet

Basic Member
Posts:485

9/11/2006 11:51 AM
so theres going to be a nice bit of money saved for anyone who avails of the early bird sales before Christmas.......actually concert promoters will probably use this to boost early ticket sales further, buy now before extra charges come in etc.

Flem

New Member
Posts:45

9/11/2006 10:09 PM
DON'T JUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, STAND THERE

Binokular

Veteran Member
Posts:1665

9/12/2006 12:13 AM
Don't really see what the fuss is about. Yeah increased ticket prices would suck, but y'know when you think about it, going to a concert is a luxury, like buying a CD or going to the Cinema. There is no reason VAT should not apply. Two points kinda stick out though. Operas and Theatre won't be taxed simply on the technicality that food isn't served or consumed during the perfromance? Seems like an arbitary distinction elevating one art form over another? Also if food/drink isn't served in the venue, does this mean the gig is VAT exempt?

Mully

Advanced Member
Posts:849

9/12/2006 8:42 AM
quote: Originally posted by Binokular Also if food/drink isn't served in the venue, does this mean the gig is VAT exempt? That would seem to be the case. The VAT charge will not be applied to events where only cold snacks, sweets and soft drinks can be consumed. So what constitutes a venue ? Mean to say, Vicar St (like the National Concert Hall) serves alcohol in a room seperate to where the performace is taken place. & what about the recent, all ages gigs in Ambassador, beer served upstairs but not down. Are the people upstairs going to pay more for their ticket than the others ? Will be interesting to see who keeps tabs on the ticket prices, will there be an extra thrown on, like when Diageo put 5c on the pint, really means 10c after the landlord has his wicked way ...

Punchbowl

Basic Member
Posts:205

9/12/2006 9:31 AM
Well, bring back the 'bring your own beer' gigs they used to have in the Project. Halcyon days...

elmo95

Basic Member
Posts:156

9/12/2006 12:30 PM
That would be a good alternative, but Dublin will have become the hippy capital of the world by then and Bertie Aherne would be the last socialist in the country :) BEGINNING OF RANT The government are once again stabbing themselves in the back, by upping the VAT on gigs they are putting more strain on the regular gig going people who would hopefully (this is post-tiger Ireland after all, the land of putting up with absurdities that should never be allowed to surface) not put up with these ever increasing price hikes. Electricity has gone up 84% in the last five years and gas is at a similar if not raised rate. This could be blamed on the standard of living and people getting their deserved cut, but the reason the standard of living is so high (at least to my lacking sense of economics) is that the government are letting these prices rise to increase their profit as opposed to investment in social amenities. They are not spending these profits in a resourceful way. They have the full right to do this, we live in a capitalistic society but I'm sick of governments not even being challenged in a serious way when they act more like corporations as opposed to the people who are meant to look after this country. I'm aware that corporatism is neccesary in many ways but hospitals popping up whilst not having one that works efficiently is a wee bit silly in my opinion. Gigs aren't at the top of anyone's aganda in the government, but why push the problems of other sectors on to this one? Is it just pick one out of the pile or is it just a concentrated attack on the concert market? If someone who understands these kinds of things explain it to me plainly then I would be most grateful, this all planning and no forward thinking government just likes to piss as many people off as possible. PS I'm just after getting back into the country after spending the week in Spain where they have things that work (and I'm sure things that don't work) but the Barcelona is just more efficient in function whereas we have taxi drivers blocking the streets and getting away with it.

Man in a can

Basic Member
Posts:106

9/12/2006 2:05 PM
quote: Originally posted by elmo95 (this is post-tiger Ireland after all) Think you mean snakes dude, we never had tigers

elmo95

Basic Member
Posts:156

9/12/2006 2:20 PM
Damn my lack of historical/animal accuracy

Mar

New Member
Posts:95

9/12/2006 3:32 PM
Have been giving out to a number of people about this and most seem to be saying to 'vote with your feet'.. but we all know no one's really going to do that or at least not enough to make any difference so forking over the extra cash it'll be then...

Mully

Advanced Member
Posts:849

9/12/2006 3:52 PM
quote: Originally posted by Mar Have been giving out to a number of people about this and most seem to be saying to 'vote with your feet'.. but we all know no one's really going to do that or at least not enough to make any difference so forking over the extra cash it'll be then... The general concensus around here is that we already going to less gigs than 5yrs ago, but the simlpe truth is that if I don't go, someone else will take my place. Mick Collins would be proud, not so sure of Jim Connolly though ...

MarkO

New Member
Posts:93

9/26/2006 4:50 AM
It never ceases to amaze how much of a arse fu------ the Irish public will put up it. Sad.

crucifixio

New Member
Posts:89

9/26/2006 1:37 PM
I don't have Tourettes but fking absolute wkers!

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