The UK government has introduced a temporary VAT reduction from 20% to 5% on eligible family activities and children's meals from 25.06.2026 to 01.09.2026 (inclusive) as part of the Great British Summer Savings scheme.
⚠️ Important: This reduced rate applies only to consumption on premises. Takeaway meals are not eligible and must remain at the standard VAT rate.
From 25.06.2026 to 01.09.2026 (inclusive), VAT drops from 20% to 5% on:
Children's menu meals, dine-in only, NOT takeaway.
Family tickets for cinema, theatre, concerts, and shows.
Admission to attractions: amusement parks, museums, zoos, soft play, etc.
⚠️ Important: Takeaway meals remain at 20% VAT.
This guide will help you configure your EPoS system to apply the correct VAT rates during this period.
Identify your tax system
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select POS Commands.
Click New and from Job Type select Get PosLink Programs.
Select Global Flags.
Select master terminal.
Click Save.
Wait for completion in POS Command Status.
Click POS Control and select Global Flags.
Select location and click Flags 1 tab.
Filter for tax and check Use Simple Tax System:
Selected Simple Tax.
Unselected Tax Group Links.
Simple Tax System
Create 5% VAT rate
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select Tax Rates.
Click New.
Description: "Summer Savings 5% VAT".
Set rounding method.
Click Save.
Apply to eligible items
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select POS Control.
Click PLU List and select location.
Choose Major Group and select Show Account/Stock Info.
Click Next.
For children's menu:
Right-click Tax Code.
Set all to a value.
Select "Summer Savings 5% VAT".
Select Apply and click Save.
Repeat for entertainment/ticket groups.
Send to tills
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select POS Control.
Click POS Commands and select New.
Choose Send PosLink Programs.
Select PLUs and choose Tax Rates.
Select terminals and click Save.
Tax Group Links
Automatically applies 5% to dine-in and 20% to takeaway for the same item.
Set up children's menu group (if needed)
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select POS Control.
Select Major Groups and click New.
Create Kids Menu and click Save.
Click PLU List.
Move children's items to Kids Menu.
Click Save.
Create 5% VAT rate
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select POS Control.
Click Tax Groups, select location and click New.
Add description: Summer Savings 5% VAT | Rate: 5 and click Save.
Ensure it's under Tax Order 1.
Create Tax Group Links
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select POS Control.
Select Tax Group Links and choose location.
Add new rule:
Major Group: Kids Menu.
Seating Area: Eat In / Dine In.
Tax Code: Summer Savings 5% VAT.
Save.
Verify takeaway rule exists:
Major Group: Kids Menu.
Seating Area: Takeaway.
Tax Code: Standard VAT 20%.
If missing, create it.
Save.
Apply to tickets/attractions
Repeat for Major Groups containing cinema, theatre, or attraction tickets.
Send to tills
Log in to EPoS Manager.
Click POS Control and select POS Control.
Select POS Commands and click New.
Select Send PosLink Programs.
Select Tax Groups, Tax Group Links, PLUs, Major Groups.
Click Select terminals.
Click Save.