22/12/2011

Government To Waive Military Wives' Tax

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced the Government will waive VAT on sales of the Military Wives choir's Christmas single, which is set to be this year's Christmas number one.

George Osborne said that the treasury had decided to make an exceptional one-off charitable donation to the Royal British Legion, and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

The donation will be equivalent to the sum of the VAT receipts collected on sales.

George Osborne and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said they were recognising the service of the armed forces and the high levels of public support for the single, as well as the exceptional contribution both charities make through their work.

George Osborne said: "Our armed forces demonstrate incredible commitment to the nation and make sacrifices for all of us. The Military Wives choir is doing a great job of raising money for this hugely worthy cause.

"We will donate the tax collected on the single so that as much as possible of the money spent by the public on this fantastic song goes to charities helping our armed forces and their families this Christmas."

(DW)

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