All eu countries that follow vat need to follow vat eu directives

Most EU countries have slowly switched to VAT or value added tax on services and goods, and in order to comply with a common code all eu countries that follow vat have to follow vat eu directives. These directives are amended regularly in a bid to further optimize the system so as to avoid tax leaks and ensure better co-operation among states in collecting and refunding vat.

The European countries through its website ec.europa.eu tries to educate member countries and vat registered traders in a variety of 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 shifted to vatcheck.com/vat the system of vat tax in a bid to improve tax revenues and also to 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 may vary slightly but they are almost similar in principle.

For example, in the United Kingdom a trader that has crossed over the vat threshold limit will have to turn into a vat registered trader before issuing any vat invoice. The following vat collected by the trader will then be adjusted against any vat paid and 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 UK. Similarly, a trader in Poland would need to issue a faktura invoice, which essence is really a vat invoice however 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 through the use of varying vat rates to similar products, traders all over 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 country. For example, a UK trader with vat registration needs to appoint a vat agent that may be conversant with uk vat rules. In the event that trader imports goods from other vat european countries which have already charged vat on the same then the vat agent of that trader will be able to file for vat refund in order to reclaim vat back. This method is pretty lengthy but can help European traders recover vat amounts previously paid, which inturn can lower their costs and enhance their income.

The europa website attempts to educate all vat enabled eu countries to follow a standard system of vat so as to decrease friction among states as a result of varying vat rates on similar services or goods. Several countries in Europe too have come with their own amendments as they attempt to adapt completely to eu vat directives for better vat compliance in their own country and across borders too.

The move of shifting to vat has benefited various European countries as they have witnessed higher revenue collections over time. However, in a bid to ensure better co-operation between member countries, vat eu directives and amendments from the European Commission have made constant efforts to improve the system of collecting and refunding vat.