EU – VAT refund claims are due by 30 June 2014

20 April, 2014

Businesses incurring costs in many EU countries may recover the VAT on those costs even if they are not registered for VAT in that particular country. In many of the EU jurisdictions there is a 30 June deadline in any year for making the reclaim.

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EU – Changes to VAT place-of-supply rules in 2015

20 April, 2014

There will be a change to the EU VAT place-of-supply rules, which determine where VAT is collected and remitted for some types of service, with effect from 1 January 2015. This change will affect businesses providing services such as

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EU – VAT guidance for e-services rule changes effective in 2015

16 April, 2014

The European Commission has  issued guidance to help businesses cope with for the new value added tax (VAT) rules for in respect of e-services including telecom, broadcasting, and electronic services. The changes to the place of supply rules are to

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Israel: VAT Position of Foreign E-retailers

23 March, 2014

Non-resident retailers of goods and digital services to Israeli consumers will remain outside of the Israeli VAT net. This is the result of a decision of the High Court that has struck down a petition from local online retailers that E-retailers

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Spain – CJEU finds Retail sales tax on diesel contrary to EU law

09 March, 2014

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a judgment in the case of:Transportes Jordi Besora SL v. Generalitat de Catalunya, C-82/12 ruling that the Spanish tax on retail sales of diesel and petrol is contrary to EU law. The CJEU

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European Commission reports on administrative cooperation and combating fraud in the field of VAT

23 February, 2014

On 12 February 2014, the European Commission adopted two reports related to fighting Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud within the EU. The reports outline possible ways of improving procedures for dealing with this problem. The first report looks at VAT

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EU: European Commission proposes stronger cooperation on VAT

23 February, 2014

Recently, the European Commission began consultations with Russia and Norway on administrative cooperation agreements in the area of Value Added Tax (VAT). The aim of the agreements is "to establish a framework of mutual assistance in combatting

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ECJ: Deduction of input VAT on pension fund management costs

17 February, 2014

In a Revenue and Customs Brief HMRC has set out its position on VAT on pension fund management costs. This follows decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the case of Fiscale Eenheid PPG Holdings BV regarding an employer's entitlement to

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Romania: Foreign energy traders are now permitted to reclaim input VAT

17 February, 2014

The European Court of Justice has ruled that foreign energy traders in Romania are now permitted to reclaim input VAT incurred through the EU’s 8th Directive.  This follows Romania’s withdrawal of the requirement for VAT registrations on

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EU: VAT pilot project on international SME transactions

24 January, 2014

The European Commission has announced a one year extension of the pilot project that seeks to improve certainty for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in cross border VAT transactions. 14 EU Member States (Belgium, Estonia, Spain, France, Cyprus,

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EU: VAT rates changes for 2014

23 January, 2014

The European Commission has issued the report on value added tax (VAT) rates applicable in EU Member States for 2014: Member States Super Reduced Rate Reduced Rate Standard Rate Parking Rate Belgium - 6 / 12 21 12 Bulgaria - 9 20 - Czech

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China: VAT refunds on e-commerce

20 January, 2014

Clarification has been issued of Chinese VAT refund processes for Chinese online retailers selling outside China.  This guidance covers enterprises selling via their own website or through external platforms such as Amazon. The new guidance came

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Portugal: VAT amnesty until end of December 2013

18 November, 2013

The tax office of Portugal has announces that- with reduced fines until 20 December 2013 outstanding VAT may be declared. Penalties will be reduced. There will be no late interest charge, or extra return charges for previously undeclared Portuguese

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European Commission – VAT Guidelines for Telecoms and e-Services

18 November, 2013

On 29 October 2013, the European Commission published guidelines to help companies to prepare for the new value-added tax rules regarding telecommunications and electronic services. The new rules are scheduled to become effective in 2015. Under the

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EU: Stopping the Italian bank guarantee requirement for VAT credits

18 November, 2013

The European Commission is seeking to prevent Italy from demanding a bank guarantee from non-resident companies which are seeking to apply for a VAT credit via their Italian VAT returns. The European Commission infringement systems try to change the

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Egypt – VAT implementation discussions

18 November, 2013

The Finance Ministry of Egypt has re-started discussions on the potential implementation of a full Value Added Tax (VAT) regime to replace the existing sales tax system. The current sales tax system of Egypt is complex and can lead to compound

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China: VAT reforms for 2014 and 2015

14 November, 2013

Chinese VAT reforms went national in August 2013 in respect of transport and broadcast services. The first VAT reform pilot started in 2012 in Shanghai and was then rolled out to 11 other provinces. Some more services will become subject to VAT and

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Austria – Legislates rapid reaction reverse charge on VAT fraud

14 November, 2013

Austria has the new mechanism to enable member states to change reporting and VAT obligations at short notice were brought into place. This instrument allows member states to gain consent from the European Commission within 30 days to apply the VAT

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