I work for a company involved in Corporate Hospitality and from time to time we are asked to purchase various concert tickets (just tickets no hospitality) by clients. Recently I purchased tickets for a concert in Dublin however I was advised by my accountant to include vat of 13.5 which is the applicable vat rate. However what I find odd is he said that I cannot claim VAT back off Ticketmaster as the do not provide a vat invoice on their booking receipt. What I cannot understand is why I cannot claim the VAT off of Ticketmaster I have the booking receipt and I have their VAT number from their website.
I'm no expert, but I believe that if the Ticket Master receipt doesn't have their VAT number and a break down of the VAT charged (and there may be more details required) then it is not a valid VAT receipt to allow you reclaim the VAT even if VAT was charged.
EU acquisitions between VAT registered parties can pass "zero rated" i.e. without the host country VAT being charged. The vendor must get the purchasers VAT number and verify it ( which can be done online here ) to justify not charging the VAT.