The Direct Marketing Association has set up a new advice service to help charity marketers understand the VAT concessions available to them.

The VAT Helpdesk, set up in conjunction with the Zero Vat consultancy, will provide advice on which types of marketing and which marketing materials can and cannot be zero-rated.

Richard Evans, head of compliance and legal services for the DMA, said: “The VAT concessions available to charities are in place to aid fundraising; unfortunately they’re not terribly clear to anyone who’s not an expert in tax law.

“Our helpdesk will help charities to understand how they can potentially slash thousands of pounds from their marketing and advertising costs by providing advice on what goods and services are VAT zero rated.”