A week of news – VAT visit

Optician was invited out to meet a VAT specialist this week who insists, contrary to popular belief, that a letter from the taxman is not always a bad thing.
Indeed, optical goods are freakish, the expert says, because they are made up of taxable product components and clinical parts, some of which are exempt from VAT.
Aside from those with an accountancy background or affinity with the finance pages, eyes may at this point be glazed over. Others will still fear the worst.
However, as The Treasury sets out to recover as much tax as it can as part of efforts to reduce the deficit, it’s encouraging to know that a letter called ‘estimated assessment’ may actually mean you are owed money.
Read more in next week’s edition.
Meanwhile, Optician has continued its coverage of the DVLA changes to drivers’ vision requirements. But when it comes down to honesty, can all drivers be trusted to volunteer information that will keep them off the road?
Therefore, it suggests that when it comes to governing there is a selective approach to being pro-active.