Home»SCHOOL PURCHASE SCHEME - SAVE 20% VAT with AIPS
SCHOOL PURCHASE SCHEME - SAVE 20% VAT with AIPS
Buying an instrument for your child can be a big investment—but with the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS), you can save 20% by removing VAT! This government-approved scheme allows state-funded schools to purchase an instrument on a student’s behalf and sell it back to you at the ex-VAT price.
✅ Who Can Benefit?
To qualify, your child must meet specific HMRC conditions:
👩🎓 Student Status: Must be in full-time education at a local authority school or academy.
🎼 Tuition: Regular musical tuition, usually weekly, at school or via a local authority music hub.
🎹 Appropriate Instrument: The instrument must match your child’s ability (beginners shouldn’t purchase professional-grade instruments).
🎻 Portability: Only portable instruments qualify (e.g., flutes, violins, keyboards). Large instruments like grand pianos or full drum kits are usually excluded.
🆕 New Instruments Only: Second-hand instruments generally don’t qualify as they often don’t have VAT to reclaim.
🛠 How to Use AIPS
📋 Check with Your School – Confirm if the school participates; participation is voluntary.
🎯 Select Your Instrument – Choose a model from a retailer like us RUBIX DRUMS and we will provide ex-VAT quotes for the scheme.
✏️ Submit Your Application – Complete the school’s AIPS form with instrument details and supplier quote.
💷 Make Payment – Pay the school the ex-VAT price. A small administration fee (£10–£15) may apply.
📦 Collect the Instrument – The school orders and receives the instrument. Pick it up from the school in a teaching room to satisfy HMRC rules.
⚠️ Key Restrictions
Private Schools: Students at independent schools are usually ineligible unless they receive tuition from an LEA Music Service.
Ownership: Legal ownership passes to the student only after the school completes the final transaction.
Finance: AIPS cannot usually be combined with other retailer finance options.
🥁 Let’s Make It Happen!
Why not come down and chat with our Rubix B2B team? We’ll guide you through the AIPS process, help you choose the perfect instrument, and make sure you save that 20% VAT.
With our support, your student can get all their drumming dreams started on the right note—without the extra cost. Let’s make music happen together!
