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Bridge card game 'should be exempt from VAT' | Bridge card game 'should be exempt from VAT' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The card game bridge is a sport and should be exempt from VAT, according to an opinion by the top adviser to the European Court of Justice. | |
In an ongoing case brought by the English Bridge Union, advocate-general Yves Bot said it was a sport because it required mental effort as part of a challenge. | In an ongoing case brought by the English Bridge Union, advocate-general Yves Bot said it was a sport because it required mental effort as part of a challenge. |
EU law has no definition of sport beyond excluding games of chance. | EU law has no definition of sport beyond excluding games of chance. |
The comments are not legally binding, but are normally followed by UK judges. | The comments are not legally binding, but are normally followed by UK judges. |
HM Revenue and Customs had refused to reimburse the English Bridge Union for VAT payments on entry fees to tournaments. | HM Revenue and Customs had refused to reimburse the English Bridge Union for VAT payments on entry fees to tournaments. |
A spokesperson for the tax collection agency said: "HMRC is considering the advocate general's opinion and awaits the final decision of the [court]." | A spokesperson for the tax collection agency said: "HMRC is considering the advocate general's opinion and awaits the final decision of the [court]." |
EU law requires proof of benefits to physical or mental well-being for a sport to claim VAT exemption. | EU law requires proof of benefits to physical or mental well-being for a sport to claim VAT exemption. |
So-called duplicate bridge, a form of contract bridge, is considered a sport by the tax authorities of Austria, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, but not by Ireland and Sweden. | So-called duplicate bridge, a form of contract bridge, is considered a sport by the tax authorities of Austria, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, but not by Ireland and Sweden. |
It is played by pairs of people in fours in clubs, tournaments, and online, and was classified as a sport by the International Olympic Committee in 1998. | It is played by pairs of people in fours in clubs, tournaments, and online, and was classified as a sport by the International Olympic Committee in 1998. |
In the run-up to the referendum the European Court of Justice faced criticism from Leave campaigners, who said the UK lost most of its cases to the court. | In the run-up to the referendum the European Court of Justice faced criticism from Leave campaigners, who said the UK lost most of its cases to the court. |
However, the court has backed Britain on cases involving challenges to British welfare rules, and has upheld sanctions on Russia that Britain supports. | However, the court has backed Britain on cases involving challenges to British welfare rules, and has upheld sanctions on Russia that Britain supports. |