The CJEU Interprets the VAT concept of a voucher

C-436/24 – Lyko Operations AB

Points granted upon purchase, which may only be redeemed for low-value goods in the context of a subsequent purchase and are otherwise non-transferable and not capable of circulation, do not qualify as “vouchers” for VAT purposes.

The plaintiff is a Swedish company engaged in the sale of beauty products, both in-store and online. Under its customer loyalty programme, customers receive points which may be redeemed for low-value products in a separate “points redemption shop”, provided that a purchase is also made in that shop. The points cannot be redeemed for cash, are non-transferable, and cannot be used in a manner whereby any shortfall in the price of the product is settled in cash. Points expire if not used within two years. The claimant sought an advance ruling from the Swedish Tax Law Commission, which confirmed that, under these circumstances, the points do not qualify as “vouchers” within the meaning of the VAT system. However, the Swedish tax authority disagreed and challenged the ruling before the courts. The request for a preliminary ruling before the CJEU was submitted by the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court.

In its judgment, the CJEU emphasised that, in this arrangement, the points do not constitute an independent means of payment but merely entitle their holders, where they decide to make a further purchase, to obtain additional low-value products as a bonus. Consequently, the points in question do not qualify as “vouchers” for VAT purposes, as the conceptual requirement that they must be accepted as consideration, or part consideration, for a supply of goods or services is not fulfilled.

Full English text of the judgement

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