Ahh, tax – the three-letter word that can send shivers down the spine. So, do wedding photographers charge tax?
Just like any other service provider, wedding photographers are subject to the same tax laws. Whether or not you’ll see that tax as an additional line on your invoice really depends on how your photographer conducts their business.
Do wedding photographers charge VAT?
As a rule in the UK you can voluntarily pay (and charge) VAT if you wish, but once your earnings are above a certain amount (around 80k) then you have to charge VAT.
Most wedding photographers will be below the VAT threshold in terms of earnings, but they may still charge VAT, so the simple answer is, you’ll just need to ask them.
If they have a studio and a team of photographers then I’m going to say with some certainty that you will be charged VAT.
If they are self employed and are a team of one (like me) then chances are you won’t be.
But, again, just ask.
Personally I would see it as pretty sneaky and therefore a breach of trust if I was invoiced and it was present with no warning.
Here’s the bottom line, though – always check your invoice thoroughly and don’t hesitate to ask if you’re not sure about something. A professional photographer should be transparent about all costs and be able to explain any charges on your bill.
And remember, folks, while taxes might not be the most fun thing to think about when planning your wedding, they’re just a part of doing business. And hey, it’s all worth it when you see those stunning photos of your day.
Click here to return to my wedding photography resources for clients page for more useful articles. I’m sure you have plenty of questions about wedding photography, head to my FAQ page to become enlightened! Or dive deeper into some other useful content, one of the most asked questions I get is whether or not you need two wedding photographers, this of course costs more but has advantages and disadvantages, click the link to find out more.