benifits not.

[fazersharp]

Not all self employed people work with VAT you have a choice to or not- until a certain turnover limit is reached and then you have to. 

I know loads of self employed people they claim VAT back on as much as they can

Yes that's right - as much as they can --ie legitimately allowed to claim.

I think they lay it on thick and take the piss when they talk to you about what they "claim" because they know it gets your back up