What is the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme?

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme enables pupils at Local Education Authority Schools, who recieve instrumental tuition as part of their curriculum, to purchase instruments without paying the VAT content. This procedure has the approval of HM Customs and Excise and was reviewed in September 1994 by the VAT Office.

What are the rules?

In accordance with regulations imposed by HM Customs and Excise, each of these conditions music be observed:

1. The student music be in full-time education at a Local Authority school AND

2, The student must be receiving ongoing instrumental tuition from Bedfordshire Music at the school as part of his/her curriculum OR

3. The student must attend a Bedfordshire Music Centre regularly and use the instrument there on a weekly basis.

4. The instrument must be appropriate for the indiviual student's needs - a beginner cannot aquire a professional instrument!

5. The instrument must be portable and used for a lesson in school at least once a week.

6. Parents/carers undertake to repay the value added tax to Bedfordshire County Council should the above conditions above be transgressed.

Please contact Tema Music on (01234) 856465 or Carole Oliver at Bedfordshire Music Service on (01234) 276518 for further details.

If you are a parent/carer outside Bedfordshire and wish to purchase an instrument within your Music Service other rules and regulations may apply. Please contact your Music Service for further details.