The Upper Tribunal has overturned the decision of the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) and granted the appeal from Gray & Farrar International LLP against HMRC’s decision that the services that Gray & Farrar provided were not consultancy and was subject to VAT worth £1,745,667.

The Mayfair-based company provided an exclusive matchmaking service. On introduction to the agency, clients were interviewed face to face and, after dates with prospective matches, were contacted by a liaison team that gave feedback, advice, and coaching. Gray & Farrah would continue the coaching throughout the client’s membership.

Clients sign up for a 12-month membership, which gives at least eight introductions from Gray & Farrar’s existing members, at the cost of £15,000 a year, while they can also hire the firm to track down a bespoke partner from outside its client list could cost anything from £25,000 to £140,000.

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