Food & Wine

The Secret Restaurateur: There is no reason the 9 per cent Vat rate can’t be kept for restaurants

Revenue may cite operational concerns as a reason for not treating restaurants and hotels differently on Vat, but when it comes taxes, where there’s a will there’s always a way

The 9 per cent Vat rate can’t be strung out forever, and the government needs to bite the bullet on it

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, the 9 per cent Vat rate for hospitality has been retained once again, with the news being gleefully reported by the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI).

In fairness to the RAI, its lobbying of government backbenchers seems to have made a difference once again. I’ve always had mixed views about this issue, and I’ve said here before that I don’t think it’s a hill that the industry should ...