Member States must pay the total amount of the reim-bursement interest regulated in their legislation. In the view of the European Court of Justice, this also applies if the interest is higher in a particular case than the actual financial disadvantage suffered by the taxpayer (judgment of 28 February 2018 – C-387/16 – Nidera). This decision may impact on the discussion concerning the lawfulness of the German interest on arrears (6% p.a.).

Where a taxable person subsequently invoices VAT in invoices for supplies, which previously he had treated as being VAT exempt, this does not result in the recipient’s input VAT deduction, by means of a VAT refund, being disallowed. Any possible limitation periods are irrelevant in cases where the recipient was unable to claim the refund within time, due to the fact that he did not have an invoice and was unaware of the VAT liability (ECJ, decision of 21.03.2018 - C- 533/16 Volkswagen AG). Here, substantive law prevails over procedural law.

AUSTRALIA introduces distance sales regime +++ BULGARIA clarifies treatment of supplies via consignment stocks +++ FRANCE reduces interest rates for tax arrears +++ GREAT BRITAIN defers Brexit and demands electronic transfer of VAT details +++ ITALY obliges companies to invoice electronically and eases regulations regarding input VAT deduction +++ SWITZERLAND obliges registered companies to declare worldwide turnover and shifts to electronic customs assessments