VAT and indirect taxes need careful planning as they make up an ever-larger part of the tax take
Governments worldwide have shifted taxation to VAT and other indirect taxes over recent years to stabilise their tax base.
Not at least due to the increasing attention paid by the tax authorities at national and international level, VAT and indirect taxes have gained in importance for internationally operating companies in particular. Increasing complexity, caused mainly by a constant change in jurisdiction and legislation, not only make it more difficult to assess any special issues correctly for the purposes of indirect taxes, but also to fulfill the worldwide VAT and indirect tax obligations in the day-to-day business.
With companies facing high penalties (including personal fines for the management of companies) for non-compliance, VAT and indirect taxes have risen up the corporate agenda.
We offer the support you need to meet your VAT and indirect tax obligations.
Typical areas of risk for businesses:
- VAT groups, especially monitoring the respective requirements (e.g. internal guidelines, changes of managing directors)
- Warehouse concepts and its VAT/customs issues
- Chain transactions, e.g. allocation of ‘moveable supply’, application of triangulation rule
- Importation of goods (e.g. tariff codes, deduction of import VAT)
- Qualification as VAT entrepreneur, especially in holding structures
- Input VAT deduction (e.g. VAT group, holding, valid VAT invoices, pro-rata)
- Sales structures and its VAT implications, e.g. ‘buy and sell’, commission model, agency structure, relationship headquarter and permanent establishment
- Transfer pricing amendments and its implications from a VAT and customs point of view
Our approach
VATandindirect taxes are transaction driven, complex, and can have a major impact on your bottom line. At Forvis Mazars, we can help withVATandindirect taxation across the whole business lifecycle, from when your company is formed through to detailed structuring of transactionsand assistance in terms of litigation.
International cooperation is particularly important in the field ofVATandindirecttaxes. Therefore, besides your regular partner responsible for the mandate, your allocated VATand/or indirect taxexpert is available to answer all your questions concerningVATandindirect taxes and is available as a sparring partner where needed.We have deepnational and international expertise from a team of taxconsultants, specialist lawyers for tax law as well as auditors and management consultants. Our 'GlobalIndirectTaxGroup' comprises a worldwide network of specialists who advise companies exclusively in the field of indirect taxes,e.g. VAT and customs, foreign trade law and excise duties.
Due to our presence in almost all European countries and worldwide in all major economiccentres, we solve your VATand indirect challenges and help you to fulfil your respective obligations - wherever you are.
Also, VATand other indirect taxes areaffected bycourt rulings and changes in legislation of both, national and international significance. This makes it even more important to have an internationally positioned team of experts at your side to keep you constantly up to date on any changes.
Our services
- Full-service advisory services on general or specific customs andVATissues
- Identifying and managingVATandindirect tax risks
- Dealing with customs and indirect tax litigation issues due to non-compliance or investigation
- VAT/customsaudit support and VAT/customsscan
- VATandindirect tax compliance impact on supply chain managementand business model optimisation (BMO)
- Advising onVATandindirect tax issuesduring the M&A process (incl. due diligence and drafting/checking VAT clauses)
- VAT group cross-check’ – an analysis of your group structure and processes
- VAT risk management concepts,includingadvisory in terms of tax compliance management systems (TCMS)
- VATandindirect tax advisory connected withBrexit
- VATandindirect tax consultancy as interface between VAT/customs law and criminal tax law
- Representation during appeal and finance court proceedings
- VAT advisory services in connection with IT implementations (e. g. review of tax codes, SAP S/4 HANA)
- VATandcustoms compliance and outsourcing
- National and international staff training, upon request customised for the various functional areas of your company (e.g. sales, procurement, accounting)
- VAT reviews (‘Health Checks’, ‘Digital VAT Scan’)
- Preparation of (electronic) handbooks, in particular for use at the marketing and sales level (‘conscious contract design’)
- Consultancy in respect to export control compliance
- Assistance with applications for binding tariff information (BTI) and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
Our tools & solutions
- VAT comparison tool:Our VAT comparison tool offers our clients the opportunity to gain information on country-specific VAT jurisdictions. This enables businesses to get an initial idea of the VAT
- VAT-ID verifier tool:Afully integrated software solution. We offer you a solution whichever you need: Quickly and personally via our Managed Service, simply and permanently online via our self-service, or seamlessly automated through ERP integration. We will help you to find the best solution for you
- Signals/InControl:Our VATandindirect tax team usesa range of globally accessible tools, e.g. our communication platform Signals and the dashboard InControl
- CustomisedITtooldevelopment:We appreciate ongoing and close contact with our clients. In terms of IT toolsandsolutions, we focus on developing products on market demand, preferably together with our clients
Our people
As their importance rises,VATandindirect taxes are becoming increasingly complex.
Forvis Mazars’ Global VATand Indirect Tax Group is well prepared to assist you quickly, competently and practically.OurVATandindirect taxteam takes a proactive, integrated and solutions-based approachwith decision guidance.
We havein-depth expertise for industries facing complex, cross-borderVATandindirect tax issues, such as real estate,energy, health care and automotive.
OurVATandindirecttax experts are regular contributors to specialist publications and active as lecturers – locally and abroad, internally and externally. In addition, we prepare our ownspecialisedpublications.
We regularly offer our clients the opportunity to exchange and network with representatives from industry, financial administration, associations and Forvis Mazars experts at international conferences (e.g. International Tax Conference, Global VATandIndirect Tax Client Conference).
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