It looks like bad news for over 1,200 Subway franchisees as Sub One Ltd loses its challenge in the upper Tier Tribunal against HMRCs view that sales of “toasted subs” and “meatball marinara” sandwiches are subject to VAT at the standard rate. The lead appeal was fronted by Sub One Limited t/a Subway (Case ref [2012] UKUT 34 TCC) and was in response to the First Tier Tribunal decision of 14 October 2010 (case ref [2010] UKFTT 487 (TC)) that supported HMRC’s opinion that
sales of these products fell within Note (3)(b) of Group 1 of Schedule 8 of the VAT Act 1994 and were thus speci?cally excluded from zero rating being supplies of hot food for consumption o? the premises, such supplies being considered as supplies in the course of catering. This is a long-standing dispute and the outcome is likely to have far-reaching implications in the catering and takeaway food sector so this announcement has been awaited with some anticipation
At the >me of bringing the appeal, the legislation was worded di?erently and Note (3)(b) then expanded on the de?nition of ‘hot food’ to mean “…food which, or any part of which – i. Has been heated for the purpose of enabling it to be consumed at a temperature above the ambient air temperature; and ii. Is above that temperature at the time it is provided to the Customer”. This appeal argued, among other issues, three key points;
a. Whether the First Tier had approached the question of point (i) above in the correct manner,
b. Whether the decision amounted to a breach of ?scal neutrality, and c. Whether the supplies in question were to be considered as goods or services.
Much attention was given to the Court of Appeal’s judgment in the case of John Pimblett & Sons Ltd and the question of doubt raised about that decision’s compatibility with EU principles of ?scal neutrality and objective assessment. The nub of the issue was to consider whether one should place
emphasis on the supplier’s intention when heating the food or the underlying purpose for heating the food. It was concluded that the factors relied upon in Pimblett were subjective in nature rather
than objective, as required in line with EC principles, so could not be relied on as the correct interpretation to be applied in the case of Sub One Ltd.
In this case, for both toasted subs and meatball marinara, the Tribunal concluded, on an objective assessment of the facts, that the food was heated for the purpose of enabling it to be consumed at above ambient temperature and not for some other reason. The First Tier Tribunal was therefore correct to conclude they are liable to VAT at the standard rate even though they may have applied the wrong test to get to that conclusion.
The fact that Pimblett had been relied upon in several cases over the years with inconsistent outcomes and the fact that HMRC did or did not appeal them or amend guidance or legislation in the light of those other cases was not held to be reason to conclude there had been a breach of ?scal neutrality.
On the subject of whether the supplies were goods or services was held to be irrelevant. Counsel for HMRC pointed out the criteria for exception from zero rating under Group 1 Schedule 8 VATA94 was not that of “catering services” but of supplies “in the course of catering”.
Based on its ?ndings, the Tribunal concluded the food was heated for the purpose of enabling it to be consumed at a temperature above ambient air temperature and was supplied to the consumer whilst still above that temperature.
It thus met the criteria for exclusion from zero rating and VAT is due at the standard rate on such supplies. The appeal was dismissed.