A number of items that had attracted VAT at a rate of fourteen percent (14%) prior to March 1, 2008 have now been listed under the Schedule 1 of the VAT Act Chapter 81:05. This policy therefore seeks to enlighten the general public on Cheese that is considered as a Zero-Rated Supply.
Schedule I, paragraph 13 (t) provides for the zero-rating of “a supply of cheddar cheese but not including grated, powdered, or single-sliced cheese” which became effective in January 2016.
By virtue of the above provision, the law has zero-rated Cheddar Cheese, therefore VAT Registered businesses are no longer permitted to charge VAT at the standard rate of fourteen percent (14%). However, it should be noted that Cheddar Cheese in grated, powdered or single-sliced form will continue to attract VAT at fourteen percent (14%).
The law specifically zero-rates Cheddar Cheese only; therefore, other varieties of cheeses such as, Parmesan, craft, mozzarella, Elle Vire, Tip Top, Swiss, Cottage, Cream, Ricotta, smoked cheeses such as Emmentaler, Goat’s milk cheeses, Ewe’s milk cheeses such as Kashkaval and Kasseri, Spiced or flavoured cheeses such as Boursin, Double and Triple crèmes cheeses such as Boursault, and Excelsior, Blue Castello and Bavarian Blue, Bland and Buttery cheeses such as Samsoe group, Edam, Gouda, Bel Paese and Fontina, Whey cheeses, Strong-smelling cheeses such as Limburger, Brick, Liederkranz and others will attract VAT at fourteen percent (14%) given that these products have been added to, altered or otherwise enhanced during the production process to add value to the final product.
Where persons have been mistakenly charged VAT for products that are zero-rated, those persons will be refunded the VAT charged, subject to documentary evidence, by the Guyana Revenue Authority. Those persons will be required to write a letter to the Commissioner-General and attach a copy of the receipt as proof of payment for the refund to be processed.
Contact Us:
Tax Advisory Services Section
Communications & Tax Advisory Services Division
Guyana Revenue Authority
200 -201 Camp Street
Georgetown
Guyana
Tel: 227-6060 | 227-8222 Ext: 8000
Email: taxadvisory@gra.gov.gy | gravat@gra.gov.gy
Website: www.gra.gov.gy
