VAT survey

Value added tax constitutes a major source of revenue for national budgets of the member states of the European Union.  However, the VAT system, which rests on legislation adopted at European level and applied at national level, suffers from numerous shortcomings that prevent the system from becoming fully efficient and compatible with the requirements of a truly single market.

It has therefore been decided to launch a broad-based debate evaluating the current VAT system and ways of strengthening its coherence with the single market and its capacity as revenue raiser, while reducing the cost of compliance.  This is an opportunity both to undertake a root-and-branch modernisation of the EU VAT system for the first time in over 40 years, and to create a VAT system that fits its purpose in the 21st century.

Any forthcoming proposals from the Commission expected to arrive by the end of the year will affect all businesses operating in, or doing business with, the EU, regardless of sector and industry, as the EU seeks to balance trade facilitation against the need to combat fraud.

An online survey has been launched to help businesses make the most of this chance to steer the development of the EU VAT system in a way that is workable for them.  We invite you to spend 5–10 minutes completing the survey, as your views are important in helping build the EU VAT system of the future.

https://www.pwcresearch.com/uc/futurevat_registration/ (terminated on 28 April 2011)

The results of this survey will be fed back to the EU Commission and the member states’ authorities.  Any response you provide will be kept anonymous, unless you give your express permission to identify you and your organisation.

More details of the “Green Paper on the future of VAT – Towards a simpler, more robust and efficient VAT system” can be found at
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/consultations/tax/2010_11_future_vat_en.htm