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Garsington Opera beats the VAT man: Tax dispute settled in the company's favour (CA)


Garsington Opera has won a dispute with HM Revenue and Customs over its method of calculation for recovery of Input Tax in relation to its status as a Partially Exempt Charitable Company.  The Tribunal supported Garsington Opera’s appeal against the position of HMRC on ‘all the points in dispute’.  Garsington Opera was also awarded full costs of the appeal.

Anthony Whitworth-Jones, General Director of Garsington Opera said:  “We are absolutely delighted that the Tribunal has so unequivocally supported our position.  The immediate effect for the opera company is that we can recover  around £250,000, including  backdated VAT and  legal costs. Our situation is very specific.  We have a month-long summer season which is funded by ticket sales, sponsorship and sponsorship rights, and private donations.  This sum of money represents an enormous amount to us. The Tribunal’s conclusion that there was a direct and immediate link between the opera production costs and, amongst other output items, the grants of sponsorship rights, means that Garsington Opera can consider its financial future with greater confidence.”

Garsington Opera, situated seven miles outside Oxford, runs for a month in the idyllic setting of Garsington Manor, made famous in the Bloomsbury era.  The combination of music, gardens and the unusual repertoire has established it as a much loved event in the English music calendar. The festival opens on 4 June with three new productions:  Beethoven’s Fidelio & Rossini’s La Cenerentola (sold out) and the British premiere of Martinu’s Mirandolina (some tickets still available).  Telephone 01865 361636 Garsington Opera, Garsington, Oxford OX44 9DH www.garsingtonopera.org

Clare Adams


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