Intermediation of Insurance and Financial Services in European VAT

Intermediation of Insurance and Financial Services in European VAT
Author: Claus Bohn Jespersen
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
Total Pages: 450
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9041137327

The current European VAT legislation encompassing insurance and financial services, including intermediation thereof, dates back to the adoption of the Sixth VAT Directive in 1977. The definitions do not, however, encompass the current complexity of insurance and financial transactions. This has resulted in considerable confusion for fiscal authorities and for businesses when deciding upon the application of the VAT exemption. As the correct VAT treatment has a significant economic impact on businesses, a great number of cases have been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. This is also the reason why the European Commission presented its proposal for the future treatment of insurance and financial services, including intermediation thereof, in November 2007. The political process has not yet been finalised and if the Commission's proposal is agreed upon, the question of understanding the definitions still exists. This book deals with the exemption for intermediation of insurance and financial services within European VAT. This implies analysing the methods of interpretation applied by the Court of Justice of the European Union when interpreting the provisions regarding insurance and financial services. Furthermore, the current definitions for intermediation of insurance and financial services as provided for in the VAT Directive are analysed and conclusions are made in order to define a single concept of intermediation. These analyses are followed by various practical scenarios from case law of the Member States concerning intermediation of insurance and financial services. Finally, comments based on the analyses carried out are given on the European Commission's proposal for amending the VAT Directive and the accompanying Regulation regarding intermediation of insurance and financial services.

VAT and Financial Services

VAT and Financial Services
Author: Robert F. van Brederode
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 435
Release: 2017-03-06
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9811034656

This book explains the theoretical and policy issues associated with the taxation of financial services and includes a jurisdictional overview that illustrates alternative policy choices and the legal consequences of those choices . The book addresses the question: how can financial services in an increasingly globalized market best be taxed through VAT while avoiding economic distortions? It supports the discussion of the key practical problems that have arisen from the particular complexity of the application of VAT to financial services, and allows for the evaluation of best practice by comparing the major current reform models now being implemented.

Insurance in European VAT

Insurance in European VAT
Author: Marta Papis-Almansa
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2016-11-30
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9041183612

Insurance constitutes a significant part of the financial services sector and is one of the foundations of modern economy and society. In the design of tax laws, however, whether and how to tax insurance is a complex issue that has become particularly controversial in the area of value-added tax (VAT). In the European Union, as in most of the world, insurance is exempt from VAT, but New Zealand and Australia do not follow this practice. Given that New Zealand’s simple, comprehensive goods and services tax (GST) – called ‘the world’s purest value-added tax’ – and its modified Australian version do not appear to suffer from the shortcomings in efficiency and effectiveness that plague European VAT, a comparison of the two systems is in order. This book is not only the first comparative in-depth study of the treatment of insurance in the two systems, but also the first comprehensive legal research devoted to the treatment of insurance in EU VAT published in English. Among the underlying issues and topics treated by the two systems covered are the following: – who has a right to deduct input VAT in relation to supplies inherent in insurance arrangements and to what extent; – what constitutes a supply of insurance and consideration for such a supply; – what transactions fall within the scope of the VAT Directive’s exemption for insurance; and – drawing a line between insurance and saving. The analysis is grounded in a methodology in which concepts of European VAT are compared with concepts performing the same function in the Australian and New Zealand GST laws. The author concludes with proposals for reform in EU VAT in the light of experience in these two major non-EU countries. Given that it has been proven that exemptions from VAT (such as insurance) cause a significant number of economic distortions and inefficiencies, this study represents a major contribution to a topical debate in European VAT law. It will be welcomed by taxation authorities, interested policymakers, practitioners, and scholars not only in Europe but worldwide.

European VAT Law as Interpreted by the Court of Justice

European VAT Law as Interpreted by the Court of Justice
Author: Erik Stessens
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
Total Pages: 583
Release: 2022-11-22
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9403519061

Value added tax (VAT) is often considered the most important development in tax of the past century. Although generally successful – it can account for a large proportion of state revenue – it has spawned its own set of complex problems that require a corresponding set of legal skills to resolve. This book, by systematically drawing out the rules from a thorough analysis of the VAT Directive and as good as every VAT case ever decided by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) (850 in all), is the ideal day-to-day guide to European VAT law. The rules – and their applications – for such VAT matters as the following are clearly described with examples: distinction between supplies of goods and services for VAT purposes; bundled supplies; intra-Community acquisitions; when tax liability starts and ends; place of supply rules and their exceptions; exemptions in the real estate, finance, and insurance sectors; import and export exemptions; right to deduct VAT; abuse of rights; the problem of incorrect invoices; refund of VAT; and special schemes. An extensive keyword register facilitates navigating the book. Developed from the author’s daily practice as a tax counsel, this book will be of immeasurable value to tax consultants, lawyers, in-house counsel, tax authority officials, and taxation academics, not only in Europe but beyond.

Fundamentals of EU VAT Law

Fundamentals of EU VAT Law
Author: Frank Nellen
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
Total Pages: 661
Release: 2020-08-19
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9403523441

Parties to cross-border disputes arising anywhere in the vast Portuguese-speaking world – a community of more than 230 million in a space that offers a wide array of investment opportunities across four continents – increasingly seek Portugal as their preferred seat of arbitration. A signatory to all relevant international conventions, Portugal has proven to be an ‘arbitration-friendly’ jurisdiction. This volume is the first and so far only book in English that provides a thorough, in-depth analysis of international arbitration law and practice in Portugal. Its contributing authors are among the most highly regarded legal names in the country, including scholars, arbitrators, and practitioners. The authors describe how international arbitration proceedings are conducted in Portugal, what cautions should be taken, and what procedural strategies may be suitable in particular cases. They provide insightful answers to questions such as the following: What matters can be submitted to arbitration under Portuguese law? What are the validity requirements for an arbitration agreement? How do the State courts interact with arbitration proceedings and what is the attitude of such courts toward international arbitration? What are the rules governing evidentiary matters in arbitration? How is an arbitration tribunal constituted? How are arbitrators appointed? How may they be challenged? How can an international arbitral award be recognized and enforced? How does the Portuguese legal system address the issue of damages and what specific damages are admitted? How are the costs of arbitration proceedings estimated and allocated? The book includes analyses of arbitration related to specific fields of the law, notably sports, administrative, tax, intellectual property rights (especially regarding reference and generic medicines), and corporate disputes. Each chapter provides, for the topics it addresses, an examination of the applicable laws, rules, arbitration practice, and views taken by arbitral tribunals and state courts as well as those of the most highly considered scholars. As a detailed examination of the legal framework and of all procedural steps of an arbitration in Portugal, from the drafting of an arbitration agreement to the enforcement of an award, this book constitutes an invaluable resource for parties involved in or considering an international arbitration in this country. The guidance that it seeks to provide in respect of any problem likely to arise in this context can be useful to arbitrators, judges, academics, and interested lawyers.

Taxation and Regulation of the Financial Sector

Taxation and Regulation of the Financial Sector
Author: Ruud de Mooij
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2014-12-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0262027976

Analytical and empirical perspectives on the interplay of taxation and regulation in the financial sector.

VAT and Financial Services (fourth edition)

VAT and Financial Services (fourth edition)
Author: Mark Chesham
Publisher: Spiramus Press Ltd
Total Pages: 263
Release: 2022-07-14
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1913507289

VAT and Financial Services takes the reader through the relevant legislation case law, and legal concepts; examines the consequences of outsourcing; looks at the key issues facing financial services and insurance; and discusses the VAT cost sharing exemption. Since the last edition significant changes include: consequences of Brexit, the abolition of Cost Sharing Groups and significant developments in case law.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands-Aruba

The Kingdom of the Netherlands-Aruba
Author: International Monetary Fund. Fiscal Affairs Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 75
Release: 2018-12-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484380134

Over the last decade, Aruba has faced three recessions resulting in a public debt of approximately 90 percent of GDP. Its current budget deficit needs to be reduced and Aruba should close a fiscal gap of 1.5-2 percent of GDP over the next two to three years to return to a sustainable path. Earlier this year, the authorities have introduced a crisis package, mainly by increasing the turnover taxes. This temporary tax measure should be replaced by a tax reform that will modernize and simplify the current system. The new tax system should not only raise more revenue, but also shift the tax burden away from income and profits toward consumption. The current system is not well equipped to make these changes. In replacing the crisis levy, the Government sees an opportunity to streamline the current tax system, modernize it, and make it more sustainable for the future needs of Aruba.

Rethinking EU VAT for P2P Distribution

Rethinking EU VAT for P2P Distribution
Author: Cristina Trenta
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
Total Pages: 479
Release: 2015-09-24
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9041161457

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks – decentralized group structures allowing anyone to easily download and share resources online – already play a critical role in the distribution of digital content. Most of the debate on P2P heretofore has focused on copyright issues. However, as the basis for legitimate business models a number of companies have already quietly embraced, P2P has a largely unknown and underestimated impact on taxation, with vast repercussions on the development of mature, profitable markets. This book analyses the current framing for digital and media supplies provided via P2P technologies through the lens of an interdisciplinary approach drawing on tax law, computer science, economics, copyright law, and business studies. VAT concepts such as those of economic activity and taxable person, taxable transactions, consideration, barter and taxable amount, and territoriality rules are discussed in connection with P2P, as is the evaluation of VAT liability for P2P operations in the presence of copyright infringement. Topics and issues considered include: - centralized and decentralized P2P networks; - free-riding problems; - identifying actors in P2P networks for VAT purposes; - P2P and place of supply; and - pros and cons of integrating P2P with taxation regimes and especially VAT systems. The analysis draws on a vast range of sources, including EU legislation and case law, tax law literature and doctrine, international conventions and treaties, Council of Europe and OECD documents, ECHR case law, and official documents and cases from key jurisdictions worldwide, offering the first thoroughly grounded approach to overcoming the lack of understanding and awareness of ongoing changes currently separating the digital economy and traditional taxation systems, and a solid platform for discussion to the diverse communities of researchers and professionals interested in P2P.

Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax
Author: Alan Schenk
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 577
Release: 2015-02-09
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1107042984

This book integrates legal, economic, and administrative materials about the value added tax (VAT) to present the only comparative approach to the study of VAT law. The comparative presentation of this volume offers an analysis of policy issues relating to tax structure and tax base as well as insights into how cases arising out of VAT disputes have been resolved. Its principal purpose is to provide comprehensive teaching tools - laws, cases, analytical exercises, and questions drawn from the experience of countries and organizations around the world. This second edition includes new VAT-related developments in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia and adds new chapters on VAT avoidance and evasion and on China's VAT. Designed to illustrate, analyze, and explain the principal theoretical and operating features of value added taxes, including their adoption and implementation, this book will be an invaluable resource for tax practitioners and government officials.