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VAT News 21/2018
Input VAT deduction even if a reference to other invoice documents is missing
In its legally binding judgement of 16.03.2018 (1 K 338/16 U), the tax court Düsseldorf granted input VAT deduction from an incomplete invoice. The incomplete invoice did not explicitly refer to any other invoice documents, which contained the missing information. Nevertheless, the tax court Düsseldorf granted the input VAT deduction anyway. This is because a specific and unambiguous reference to other accounting documents relating to the incomplete invoice was derived from the factual connection. It is not required that an incomplete invoice explicitly refers to other invoice documents.
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VAT News 20/2018
Interest on taxes unconstitutional?!
The 9th Senate of the Federal Fiscal Court has voiced “serious doubts” as regards the constitutionality of the interest rate on tax arrears. The rate is 0.5% per month (i.e. 6% per year). The court considers the interest rate to be “unrealistic” and that it violates the general principle of equal treatment pursuant to Art 3 para 1 of the German Constitution. Furthermore, the court regards the interest rate as excessive, thereby infringing Art. 20 para 3 of the German Constitution. As a consequence, taxpayers should appeal against interest assessments on tax arrears and apply for a stay of execution.
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VAT News 19/2018
German Federal Fiscal Court confirms right to choose applicable law on taxation of travel services
Companies receiving travel services have a choice as to whether to apply sec. 25 of the German VAT Act (which violates EU law) or art. 306 ff. of the EU VAT Directive. The German Federal Fiscal Court confirmed this in its judgment of 13.12.2017, which was published on 02.05.2018 (XI R 4/16). This allows companies to choose the most preferable taxation scheme, for themselves and for their customers, who ultimately have to bear the VAT burden. As a result, companies have a maximum degree of flexibility and can theoretically generate non-taxed turnover. This remains applicable until the legislator reacts and adapts sec. 25 of the German VAT Act.
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