Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme

VAT Free Scheme

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme, or AIPS as it’s also known, is a scheme that every parent should know about! Students can now purchase musical instruments without paying the VAT, saving an extra 20% off Promenade Music’s already very competitively discounted prices.

Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS)

Big Discounts And No VAT To Pay For School Children

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) enables pupils, who attend a local education authority (LEA) school and receive music tuition as part of their curriculum, to purchase musical  instruments without paying the 20% VAT which is a saving of almost a further fifth off our already discounted prices resulting in massive savings on all student instruments.

The Assisted Instrument Purchase (AIPS) Scheme was approved by H.M. Customs & Excise and reviewed in September 1994 by the VAT Office. It is strictly for pupils attending local education authority schools or music centres (please check with your school or music centre that they operate the ‘Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme’).

Promenade Music operates AIPS nationwide through Schools, Music Centres and Education Authorities. We have many years of experience in the supply of musical instruments and offer a complete sales and back up service (not always available with other suppliers). Schools place the order with us direct and we offer a fast and efficient service.

How does the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) work through Promenade Music.
1. You select the required instrument from Promenade Music.
2. Promenade Music works out the best discount deal and then also deducts the 20% VAT.
3. The parent pays the VAT free amount to the (LEA) school.
4. The school places an official order for the instrument with Promenade Music.
5. Upon receipt of the schools official order Promenade Music invoices the school with the full amount including the VAT.
6. The school claims the VAT back in the usual way.
7. The pupil / parent collects the instrument from school.

Questions & Answers
– Are there any rules for the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS)?
Yes, in order to comply with the regulations imposed by H.M. Customs & Excise, there are some simple rules that we all (Promenade Music, the parent / guardian, the school) must abide by to be able to use the AIPS scheme. These are:
1. The pupil must be in full-time education at a Local Education Authority School.
2. Pupils must be either receiving tuition at the school as part of their curriculum or receiving private tuition in support of a curricular activity (such as GCSE music and exams etc).
3. The instrument must be appropriate for the pupil’s needs.
4. The instrument must be portable.
5. The instrument must initially be sent to the school and then passed to the pupil in a designated teaching room.
6. The instrument must be charged to the pupils at (or below) the normal schools cost, exclusive of VAT (i.e. non-profit-making).

– What is the choice of instruments?
You have a huge choice of new, excellent quality, fully prepared instruments of all types (woodwind, brass, strings, guitars etc) as long as it meets the rules above.

– How long will it take for my instrument to come?
All instruments will be delivered by Promenade Music or our courier. Although we have massive stocks, should we not have the instrument in stock the order will be processed with the manufacturer immediately on receipt of the schools official order.

– What if the School is Private or Grant Maintained?
Unfortunately, H.M. Customs & Excise don’t extend the same VAT exemption to these establishments. However you’ll still get our great discount prices and our complete back up service.

– Must the instrument be new?
No, it can be second-hand.

– Can I buy more than one instrument under the scheme?
Yes, providing the qualifying criteria is met.

– Is there an upper limit on how much I can spend?
No, but the rules of the scheme require that any instrument must be appropriate for the proficiency and ability of the child.

– My child has private lessons. Can we participate in the scheme?
Yes. As long as the child attends a LEA school and the criteria is met.

– Can I buy a piano through this scheme?
No, HM Customs and Excise consider Piano’s to be non-portable.  Regulations have recently been relaxed and you are now permitted to buy an electronic keyboard through the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme.

– The school where my child attends doesn’t know any thing about the scheme, is it legal?
Yes.

For further information about the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme please telephone Promenade Music on 01524 410202.

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