Most European Union countries have slowly switched over to VAT or value added tax on goods and services, along with order to abide by a standard code all eu countries that follow vat need to follow vat eu directives. These directives are amended regularly in a bid to help optimize the system in order to avoid tax leaks and make sure better co-operation among states in collecting and refunding vat.
The European Union through its website ec.europa.eu tries to educate states and vat registered traders in various countries on a number of regulations that apply on current and future vat rates and refunds. Several countries in Europe including the UK, Sweden, Poland, Greece, Germany, Italy, etc have slowly moved to www.vatcheck.com/vat the system of vat tax in a bid to raise tax revenues as well as plug tax holes that were previously draining precious resources. Each vat enabled country possesses its own interpretation of european vat or europa vat rules that might vary slightly but are almost similar in principle.
For example, in the UK a trader that has crossed across the vat threshold limit will have to turn into a vat registered trader before issuing any vat invoice. The subsequent vat collected by the trader is then adjusted against any vat paid as well as the difference is paid to HM Revenue and Customs or hmrc vat department that looks after all issues connected to customs duties, excise and vat in the United Kingdom. Similarly, a trader in Poland would need to issue a faktura invoice, which essence is really a vat invoice but in Polish language, and pay vat to the relevant vat department in that country.
Since each country has adopted vat in a slightly different manner by applying varying vat rates to similar products, traders all across Europe usually need to hire a vat agent or vat consultant to help file vat returns regularly. These agents have to be experts in interpreting vat eu rules and vat rules applicable in their own country. For example, a UK trader with vat registration has to appoint a vat agent that is conversant with uk vat rules. If that trader imports goods from other vat european countries that have already charged vat on the same then the vat agent of this trader should be able to file for vat refund so as to reclaim vat back. This process is quite lengthy but could help European traders recover vat amounts previously paid, which inturn can lower their costs and enhance their cash flow.
The europa website tries to educate all vat enabled eu countries to follow a standard system of vat in order to decrease friction among states as a result of varying vat rates on similar goods or services. Several European countries too have come with their very own amendments while they try to adapt completely to eu vat directives for better vat compliance in their country and across borders too.
The move of shifting to vat has benefited various countries in Europe as they have witnessed higher revenue collections over time. However, in a bid to make sure better co-operation between member countries, vat eu directives and amendments issued by the European Commission are making constant efforts to further improve the system of collecting and refunding vat.
