Trouble brewing on tax or a storm in a teacup?

When is tea not tea? When it’s a herbal tea, according to the taxman.

The Revenue Commissioners is now dividing teas into tea and non-camellia-based herbal infusions. Those teas that do not contain dried leaves from the camellia plant will be subject to a 23% Vat charge.

Revenue has clamped down on health food wholesalers and is forcing a 23% tax rate onto all herbal teas, or non-camellia-based herbal infusions.