The standard rate will increase from 17% to 18% for the period 14 January 2013 to 12 January 2014. From 13 of January 2014 the standard rate will increase to 19% at which point the 8% reduced rate will increase to 9%. The current reduced rates of 5% and 0% remain unchanged.
Category: Tax Knowledge
Risk of PE (permanent establishment) for VAT in Italy
A new minefield is created around fixed establishments for VAT purposes, even if there is an extensive case-law of the European Court of Justice to determine whether such an establishment exist or not. The main elements of this legal analysis were also embedded into the EU VAT Regulations, however, some of the member states tend to interpret now these rules more widely as before. Read More »
EORI number
The basic purpose of EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification in the EU) is to establish a system whereby every trader who interacts with Customs Authorities in any Member State of the EU is allocated an unique reference number. This reference number is valid throughout the EU and serves as a common reference number for the trader’s interaction with the Customs Authorities of any Member State. Read More »
How to fight against VAT fraud quicker – Directive 2006/112/EC amendment (quick reaction mechanism against VAT fraud)
One of the topics high on the agenda in nearly every country, but especially in Europe, is to increase the governmental revenue. Improving the tax collection and tackling tax evasion are seen as ways how to achieve it. VAT fraud schemes like carousel and missing trader fraud evolve rapidly. These fraud phenomena have very often international dimensions. Read More »
Czech Republic – increase of VAT rate as from 1 of January 2013
The Chamber of Deputies has approved the economic measures intended to keep the state budget deficit under three percent of gross domestic product for the next three years. The measures include an increase in the standard VAT rate from 20% to 21% and the reduced rate from 14% to 15%.
France – Increase of the VAT rate as per 1 of January 2014
The normal VAT rate will raise from 19.6% to 20%. The reduced VAT rate for instance for restaurants will increase from 7% to 10%. The super-reduced VAT rate for food and energy, however, will be reduced from 5.5% to 5%. Why? Because the government wants to reduce the tax burden on the companies in area of direct tax.
With this tax relief the French government intends to make the French companies more competitive on the international market
How to decline cost of bank guarantee in Italy – “Statuto dei diritti dei contribuenti” – Law no. 212/2000
In some cases such as claims for VAT refund, tax payers have to provide a bank guarantee to the Italian Tax Authority. This is not always easy from an administrative point of view (as it has to be bank in Italy) and never really cheap. “Statuto dei diritti dei contribuenti” – Law no. 212/2000 protects tax payers’ right in relation to the incurred bank guarantee cost. A specific decree, implementing the operating rules for the refund/repayment should have been issued a long time. Read More »
Germany – electronic filing of VAT returns needs as of January 1, 2013 authentication
As from 1 January 2013 electronic filing of VAT returns will only be possible with an authentication in Germany. Companies submitting VAT returns electronically have to register online at ELSTER (ELektronische STeuerERklärung) http://www.elsteronline.de/eportal to obtain the necessary electronic certificate before year end. Read More »
Luxembourg – electronic VAT filing obligatory as from 2013
The Tax Authority announced that as from 2013 VAT returns and EC Sales Lists for supply of goods and services will have to be filed electronically.
Of interest is also the fact that the applications for recovery of local VAT paid by non resident companies might be filed electronically as well.
Ukraine – profit is an option but cash is a fact
The President of Ukraine signed Law No 5083-VI which introduces a number of amendments to the Tax Code including a provision under which large taxpayers reporting losses will not be entitled to an automatic VAT refund. The change is effective as of 12 August 2012. The automatic VAT refund is not available for large taxpayers reporting tax losses as a result of activities in 2011. Read More »
Michaela Merz 