5.5% VAT kept on disability equipment covered under hospital care

Article 83 of the 2004 Amending Finance Act rewrites the first paragraph of Article 278 quinquies of the General Tax Code. The reduced 5.5% VAT rate applies to disability equipment listed in Chapters I and III to VII of Title II and Title IV of the list of reimbursable products and services, to equipment in Title III of that list or covered under hospital services as listed by order, and to special equipment known as technical aids, designed exclusively for disabled people, as listed by order. According to the amendment's statement of reasons, the aim is to keep the reduced rate on implantable medical devices that, with the hospital funding reform, leave the reimbursable products list to be included in hospital stay tariffs, and to update the reference to the Social Security Code. Applies from 1 January 2005.