National Trust admission fees are subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%.

The National Trust has highlighted that this puts them at a disadvantage compared to other cultural organisations that benefit from VAT exemptions.

Under HMRC VAT Notice 701/47, admission charges to cultural events and venues can be exempt from VAT if the organisation qualifies as an eligible body or public body.

Rules need tightening, so more VAT collected, as some venues and events use loopholes to avoid paying VAT.

Example is Buckingham Palace generates substantial income from tourism, however no VAT is charged (or declared in pricing on website) :

• In 2019–2020, admission income from royal residences (including Buckingham Palace) was £49.9 million
• Total income from ticket sales, gift shops, and other sources reached £71.5 million
• The overall annual revenue attributed to Buckingham Palace and related royal sites is estimated at £86.3 million, much of which funds the Reservicing of Buckingham Palace