VAT Compliance in the EU
E-Learning – Online Training
The VAT Compliance in the
EU (VAT Compliance)
E-Learning program seeks to
provide global companies and their
employees with a consistent,
dependable and comprehensive
VAT compliance training program
that goes beyond what is currently
offered on the market today.
Indirect taxes are a massive potential expense. For buyers and sellers of goods and services, how invoices are
prepared and processed can affect a company’s ability to avoid the imposition of expensive VAT and other indirect
taxes. Thus, it is important for companies to implement comprehensive VAT compliance programs with a view to
proactively train staff on critical VAT compliance issues to thereby reduce the risks and costs associated with VAT
noncompliance.
The VAT Compliance E-Learning program covers a broad range of issues for the European Union (EU), with additional
regional and country coverage to be expanded based on client interest.
All content has been written and is regularly updated by Baker & McKenzie attorneys in key European jurisdictions
who specialize in VAT compliance matters.
Topics Covered
Overview of Consumption Taxes
• Purpose of consumption taxes
• Types of consumption taxes
• Value Added Tax (VAT) & Goods and
Services Tax (GST)
• Sales Tax
• Comparison with other tax systems
- Trade Tax
- Production Tax
Overview of Value Added Tax (VAT) in
Europe
• EU VAT Directive
• Budgetary Relevance of VAT
• Characteristics of VAT
Who is Taxed? - Taxable Person / VAT
Entrepreneur
• Concept of “permanent establishment”
• Concept of “VAT Group”
• Registration obligations
What is Taxed? - Taxable
Transactions
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Supply of Goods
Supply of Services
Self-supply
Combined Supplies of Goods and/or
Services
Acquisitions by VAT entrepreneurs
A
cquisitions by non-VAT entrepreneur
legal entities
Third Party Transactions
Importing Goods
Where is it Taxed? - Place of Supply
Rules
• Supply of Goods
- Transported or non-Transported
Goods
- Annual Distance Selling Threshold
- B2B-Customers or B2C-Customers
- Triangular Supplies
- Fictitious Intra-community
transaction
- Export Supply
• Supply of Services
- B2B-Services – Where the Recipient
is Established
- B2C-Services – Where the Service
Provider is Established
- Exceptions
▪ Real Estate related Services
▪ Transportation Services
▪ Restaurant and Catering Services
▪ Services rendered to non-EU nontaxable persons
- E-commerce Services
- Effective Use & Enjoyment Clause
Who is Liable to Pay VAT? Reverse-Charge Mechanism
What is the Taxable Base? - Taxable
Amount
•C
ancellation, Refusal or Total / Partial
non-Payment
• Payment in Kind
• Offsetting Payments
• Vouchers, Coupons & Stamps
• Credit Cards
• Price Subsidies
• Withdrawal for Personal Use
www.lawincontext.com
What is the Applicable Rate?
•L
ist of Supplies of Goods and Services
Eligible for Reduced Rates
What is exempt from VAT?
• Exemptions in the Public Interest
• Exemptions of a more Technical Nature
• Exemptions for export and intra-community supplies
• Paradox of Exemption
How and When is it Taxed?
What are the Rules Governing VAT
Refunds?
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No Refund of Input VAT
Taxed and Exempt Activities
Foreign Entrepreneurs
Input VAT Refund Adjustments
Acquisition of Capital Goods
What are the Formal Obligations?
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Invoicing Requirements
Bookkeeping Obligations
Obligation to file VAT returns
Obligation to register for VAT
purposes
• Listing obligation for intra-community
transactions
This may, in some jurisdictions, be considered “Attorney Advertising” on behalf of Baker & McKenzie and other contributing firms. Copyright © 2002-2013, LawInContext Pte. Ltd.
VAT Compliance E-Learning
E-Learning – Key Features
ike all of LawInContext’s e-learning / online training programs, the VAT Compliance E-Learning program is selfL
paced, and uses a combination of sound, animation and text (programmed in Adobe Flash Player), to present concepts, situations and examples in a compelling and memorable manner. Each training chapter will include interactive
exercises, as well as quick quizzes, to test and reinforce knowledge retention. The registration/completion/scores
can then be fed back to the tax, compliance or training departments for record keeping purposes.
Key features include:
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Self-paced and available online, 24/7
EU laws covered
Industry specific issues covered
Customization options available
Interactive exercises and quizzes
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Reporting options available
Link to secure private extranet site
LMS access available
Dovetails with live training
Live Training
awInContext offers live, customized compliance training programs for business organizations in a range of
L
industries. These programs can be stand alone, or can complement any online e-learning training.
Key features include:
• In-house, customized, compliance training initiatives designed to reflect your organization’s key compliance risks
•M
odular blended learning: pick and choose from our flexible face-to-face and distance learning formats, as well
as a range of online training tools and tailored program materials
• Multiple languages: delivered in English or your preferred language(s)
For more information on our live training programs, please contact us.
Private Knowledge Site
awInContext offers institutions the option to add a link from each training program to a secure private knowledge
L
site, whose content is accessible exclusively to those within a given institution.
Other Global Corporate Compliance Training Modules
The following e-learning / online training programs are available or currently in development:
• Code of Conduct*
• Competition & Antitrust Law – available in 15 languages; covers 6 different industry sectors
• Global Anti-Corruption / Anti-Bribery – available in 7 languages; covers 8 different industry sectors
• Global Anti-Money Laundering*
• Global Data Privacy and Data Protection*
• Global Export Controls and Sanctions*
• Global Insider Trading / Market Abuse*
*Currently in development
As part of our initiative to develop the new training modules listed above, LawInContext is seeking a limited number
of “Founding Clients” who will receive access to the relevant training module(s) under a compelling pricing model in
exchange for their involvement and input in the development of the content. Please contact us for details.
Contact Us
For more information, pricing or training program demonstrations, please contact:
info@lawincontext.com or +41 (0)44 384 1379
About LawInContext
LawInContext provides cost-effective access to online legal information and training from specialists at the global
law firm, Baker & McKenzie. LawInContext’s Helpdesks feature country-by-country access to selected topics in
various areas of the law. Our online training modules are self-paced, multimedia programs that feature interactive
exercises and quizzes with test results. Over 120 institutions rely on LawInContext Helpdesks and Training
Modules. LawInContext was “highly commended” by the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers 2007 in the client
service category. For more information about LawInContext’s Helpdesks and training modules, please visit
www.lawincontext.com.
LawInContext Pte. Ltd. (“LawInContext”) was created by the global law firm Baker & McKenzie and provides cost-effective access to online legal
information and training tailored to select communities of clients. LawInContext is neither a law firm nor authorized to practice law. No attorneyclient relationship will be formed or deemed to be formed with Baker & McKenzie or contributing law firms through the use of LawInContext’s legal
information, knowledge management, and training services. This may, in some jurisdictions, be considered “Attorney Advertising” for Baker &
McKenzie and other contributing firms. A full disclaimer is available at http://www.lawincontext.com