On 7 March 2013, the German Ministry of Finance passed the long awaited administrative circular on VAT groups. The tax authority has changed its opinion on the characteristics of organizational links. The new principles will apply from 01 January 2014. Companies should therefore make use of the transitional period and check whether they comply with the requirements for a VAT group.
In its judgment of 14 November 2012, (file no. XI R 8/11), the Supreme Tax Court ruled that there will be no VAT-exemption if there is no statement on the invoice that the supply is a VAT-exempt intra-Community supply.
By judgment of 21 February 2013, case C-18/12 – Zambek – the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that entrance tickets for open-air swimming pools and water parks (aqua parks) are VAT-exempt. This judgment is of particular significance for the German legislature. It allows for more scope in the future and maybe even into the past.
