Numerous legal questions exist concerning the settlement of past property developer cases. The German Federal Fiscal Court recently ruled on one of these issues: A property developer's claim for a VAT refund is not dependent upon whether he has paid the tax amount to the supplier or whether the tax authority can offset it. The findings of the German Federal Fiscal Court are not only positive for property developers but also other business sectors, such as purchasing associations, who could benefit.

With its most recent referral to the ECJ, the German Federal Fiscal Court (decision of 02.08.2018 – V R 33/17) opens the discussion as to what extent VAT rate reductions are applicable beyond their wording, even if (only) comparable services are rendered. In this context, the Federal Fiscal Court refers to the principle of equal treatment pursuant to Art. 20 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The future scope of the application of the reduced VAT rate could thus be significantly extended. Entrepreneurs should closely follow the further proceedings of the referral. In certain cases, it may now already be recommendable to examine the question of the applicability of a reduced VAT rate.

The tax authorities and tax courts generally deny input VAT deduction from procured consulting services for sales of shares not subject to VAT. In its judgment of 8 November 2018, in the case C&D Foods Aquisitions ApS (C-502/17), the ECJ reminds us that this does not always apply. If the sale of shares serves the economic activity of the taxable person or expands it, an input VAT deduction can be considered. This principle should also apply to other asset transfers not subject to VAT, e.g. supplies of real estate.