Die Mehrwertsteuer (MWST) ist eine ständige Herausforderung. In den letzten Monaten hat die ESTV wiederum viele wichtige Änderungen und Präzisierungen ihrer Verwaltungspraxis und verschiedene Entwürfe zur Vernehmlassung publiziert. Das Bundesgericht und das Bundesverwaltungsgericht waren ebenfalls nicht untätig. Daneben trat auf den 1. Januar 2019 auch noch die neue gesetzliche Regelung für den Versandhandel in Kraft.Read More »
Was ist wichtig?
«Was ist wichtig? » fragte Mila ihre Grossmutter. Und die Grossmutter, gepeinigt durch starke Schmerzen verursacht durch viele ihre verschiedenen Krankheiten antwortete ohne gross nachzudenken, «Gesundheit, ist das wichtigste. Ohne Gesundheit macht das Leben kein Spass mehr».
Am Abend als sie nach Hause kam, fragte sie die Mutter, was wichtig ist. Die Mutter geplagt durch das enge finanzielle Korsett (der Vater hat die Alimente wieder mal nicht gesendet) und die Anzahl der zu zahlenden Rechnungen war hoch, antwortete die Mutter seufzend, «die finanzielle Unabhängigkeit, ohne die kann man nicht mal schlafen. »Read More »
‘What’s important?’
‘What’s important?’ Mila asked her grandma. Her Grandma, suffering from many ailments responded without thinking ‘health is the most important thing. Without health life isn’t fun anymore.’
In the evening when Mila got home she asked her mom what is important. Her mom, stuck in financial problems (as per usual her dad didn’t pay the alimony) and drowning in bills she sighed ‘financial independence, without it you lose your sleep’.Read More »
International VAT Breakfast, 20 June 2019
With the approaching summer, I would like to take the opportunity to meet you prior to the holiday season and discuss the latest developments and upcoming challenges in the ITX world.
The EU Quick fixes, i.e. measures aiming to improve the current VAT system applicable as of January 2020 will require businesses to adapt their systems and processes. We will therefore share with you the first observations collected from the various EU countries that have already released their draft legislation and discuss the practical implementation and steps required to check the readiness of your company in connection with those new rules.
As usually, we will provide you also with an overview of worldwide developments including practical experiences from recent VAT audits in Switzerland and interesting ITX news from locations, such as Bangladesh, India and China.
Prior the judiciary holidays, we will present the latest impacting cases issued by the ECJ with particular focus on the input VAT deduction right and the points of attention for businesses to secure those rights, particularly, in supply chain transactions.
Finally yet importantly, we will discuss the trade wars and the resulting increased focus on customs as with the increase in rates the duties become more important as ever. Since experience shows that businesses are often lacking the necessary controls in this area, our Customs specialists will share their insights on the future developments and present the solutions that businesses could implement to assess their actual position and identify potential saving opportunities.
Date
Thursday 20 June 2019
Costs
This event is free of charge.
Location
PwC Geneva, Avenue Giuseppe Motta 50, 1202 Genève
Speakers
- Patricia More, Tax & Legal Services Principal – ITX, PwC Switzerland
- Konstantina (Nadia) Tsiosta, Tax & Legal Services Manager – ITX, PwC Switzerland
- Kristyna Kaniova, Tax & Legal Services Manager – ITX, PwC Switzerland
- Krisztina Nagy, Tax & Legal Services Assistant Manager – ITX, PwC Switzerland
Agenda
08:00 Welcome & coffee
08:30 Introduction
08:40 VAT Outlook: EU Quick fixes & Latest ITX developments around the globe
09:00 Impacting Case Law
09:20 Customs update: Trade wars & Insights on Customs processes, management & optimization
10:00 Q&A & networking
10:30 End of the event
Find out more and register here >
Image source: unsplash.com
‘EU VAT: Recent Developments and Outlook’
During this 3-day seminar you and other top international indirect tax specialists will discuss the VAT implications of a wide range of topical issues, including the measures recently implemented or soon to be implemented across the EU.
You will be brought fully up-to-date with all the important developments in your field and can be assured of in-depth discussions with prestigious international speakers.
The seminar will be held from Wednesday 25 – Friday 27 September 2019.Read More »
Mobile phones
Maria hated Kurt’s iPhone. She felt that Kurt was spending more time with his phone than with her. This feeling started to sneak in a couple of years ago. First, it was the Blackberry, afterwards the newest iPhone. Kurt was always available. On the weekend, the holidays, in the middle of the night. His clients were mainly in China and so it was not unusual for him to receive calls at 4 a.m. ‘those are just the annoying time zones’ he used to say.
Read More »Mobiltelefone
Maria hasste Kurt sein iPhone. Sie dachte, dass Kurt mit seinem Telefon mehr Zeit als mit ihr verbringt. Das hat vor Jahren schleichend angefangen. Erst war es ein Blackberry, später das neuste Model von iPhone. Kurt war immer erreichbar. Am Wochenende, während der Ferien, Mitte der Nacht. Seine Kunden waren hauptsächlich in China und so war es nichts Ungewöhnliches, dass jemand um 4 am Morgen angerufen hatte. “Halt die blöden Zeitzonen,” pflegte Kurt zu sagen.
Read More »UK: Only the owner of the imported goods can deduct the import VAT as from 15 of July 2019
HMRC is aware of incorrect treatment by businesses whereby import VAT has been incorrectly deducted as input tax by non-owners of the goods. As from 15th July 2019, HMRC will only allow claims for input VAT deduction if the owner is the importer and pays the UK import VAT. In case the non-owner is the importer and pays the UK import VAT, HMRC will not allow an input VAT deduction. A transitional period to 15th July 2019 has been put in place for businesses to make any necessary changes and implement correct procedures. This is especially important for toll manufacturer, who are acting as importer and recover the import VAT paid. These toll manufacturer does not own the goods.
Toll operators import goods, process them and distribute them within or outside of the UK but to other EU countries (for instance for clinical trials). The toll operator does not take ownership of the goods and does not resell them. The only supply by the toll operator is of its services to its client not resident and not registered for VAT in UK (the owner of the imported goods).
Title to the goods at all times remains with the owners. However, the toll operator acts as ‘importer of record’ on UK import declarations, pays the import VAT to HMRC and receives the import VAT certificate (C79). HMRC has become aware that a number of UK toll operators who have paid import VAT on behalf of their not resident and not VAT registered customers have also claimed a corresponding deduction for input tax under section 24 of the VAT Act 1994. However, there is no provision in UK law for such deduction.
There is no evidence to suggest that the businesses concerned have knowingly applied the wrong treatment. In all cases seen by HMRC, the toll operator has dealt with the importation and paid or claimed the import VAT to provide an administrative and cash flow benefit to their customers, as part of the overall service they provide.
The correct procedure is for the owner to be the importer of record and reclaim the import VAT, either in accordance with section 24 of the VAT Act 1994 (if registered for VAT in the UK) or under the Thirteenth VAT Directive (86/560/EEC).
For further details please see here >
Image source: unsplash.com
KSA: 50 – 100% Excise Tax introduction on certain products
The General Authority of Zakat and Tax (“GAZT”) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“KSA”) announced recently that it will start applying a 50% Excise Tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages (“SSBs”) and a 100% Excise Tax on electronic devices and equipment used for smoking, as well as the liquids used in electronic devices and equipment used for smoking.
The amended Excise Tax Implementing Regulations have been published in the Official Gazette on 15 May 2019, and enters into force with immediate effect, with the exception of the Excise Tax on SSBs, which will await a further decision by the GAZT Chairman. A GAZT spokesman has informally anticipated that the Excise Tax on SSBs is expected to take effect from 1 July 2019.Read More »
Soapbox derby
With my youngest we went to see the soapbox derby in Unterägeri.
Everything that was needed for a good atmosphere was present at the racetracks. There was Barbecue with ‘Cervelat’ and ‘Bratwurst’. Drinks to keep us hydrated an ice cream van and many spectators. Thank god for the fact that it didn’t rain even though the sky was rather cloudy. The little race drivers gave their all. We sat down at the ‘Jogurtkurve’ where you could, depending on how well you raced around the curve, gain or lose two seconds, which then contributed to the point scoring at the end of the game.
Read More »
Michaela Merz 