Claiming VAT scheme for earthquake damage

Questioner

Good afternoon, In November 2014 we had earthquake damage and reported this. It took quite a while before someone came by, and again it took a few weeks before the damage became known. Now we are also entitled to the 4000 euros, this has also been awarded to us. Now we want to spend this on new glass/frames. Now it is the case that construction companies are extremely busy, partly due to earthquake damage. Now the glass/frames will not arrive until after July 1 and then there is a VAT increase from 6 to 21%, which means that we will pay a higher amount, I have put this question to the person who caused the damage, but he says that I have to go to the person from whom we receive the 4000 euros compensation. In my opinion, if the person who caused the damage had taken action more quickly, we could have submitted our application for the 4000 euros earlier. Can we still claim the 6% VAT scheme?

Lawyer

Unfortunately, you cannot claim the 6% scheme if the work is not carried out by 1 July at the latest. However, you could try to make it clear to the agency that awards the compensation that your damage is higher now that the 6% scheme cannot be used. Incidentally, the 6% only applies to labour, not to the glass and frames that you want to buy.