Ιαν302018
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Towards more flexibility for setting VAT rates?


On 18th January, the European Commission proposed more flexibility for Member States to chose the VAT rates they apply to different products and services.
According to the new proposal, Member States would be able to put in place:
– a minimum standard rate of 15% (no change here);
– two reduced rates (between 5% and the standard national rate);
– one reduced rate (between 0% and the reduced rates);
– and one “zero rate”.
The current list of goods and services for “reduced rates” would be abolished, but all goods and services from this list could continue benefitting from reduced rates.  
This means that Member States currently applying reduced VAT rates in the construction sector (i.e. renovation of private dwellings or social housing) will be able to continue to do so, and those Member States who don’t use this opportunity now will be able to use it in the future.

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Study on Article 17 of the Energy Efficiency Directive

Article 17 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) provides a framework on broad dissemination of information and availability of training initiatives related to energy efficiency.  In addition national measures are required to provide information on the energy performance of buildings and to ensure that appropriate skills are available, such as those needed by experts undertaking energy audits. These measures, addressing the obligations in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), are also considered in the study.  

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Tackling the problem of Letterbox Companies


Within the framework of the EU Platform against Undeclared Work a seminar was organised to improve the understanding of the nature of fraudulent letterbox companies and their links to undeclared work. The event brought together Platform members, including representatives of national ministries, labour inspectorates, social security authorities, and tax authorities, as well as European-level social partners and international organisations.Amongst the key findings the following ones can be highlighted :

  • There is a need to define what is meant by a letterbox company in both lay and legal terms within and between Member States.
  • A number of legislative changes were identified that could help to address the use of fraudulent letterbox companies.
  • There is a need to encourage both data-sharing and general forms of cooperation between regulatory institutions (e.g. tax authorities and labour inspectorates) both within and between Member States.
  • The use of both public and private initiatives to address letterbox companies should be encouraged.

The detailed report can be downloaded by clicking on “Read more” here below.
 

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