VAT holiday for churches and war memorials
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The full 17.5% VAT on work carried out on churches can be reclaimed until 2008, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced in the Budget last month.
Since 2000, churches have been able to reclaim 12.5% of the VAT they pay on repairs.
Ryan Brunt, operations director at Cheddar-based Wells Cathedral Masons says: "This VAT holiday could provide a jump for those restoration-fund thermometers we all see outside churches since the total cost will be reduced by the VAT refund.
"And since this year is the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Chancellor has chosen the right moment to extend the VAT exemption to the restoration of memorials." "