In the Netherlands, there’s a huge lack of personnel at the moment. There are only 100 people available for 133 job openings. And it’s in all sectors and branches the same, not just catering industry, hospitals or police departments. The major cause: consumption.
Ever bought something useless? Have a look at this movie HERE
Or at least, that’s what I think. Some time ago I mentioned in this intro that a lot of people find they have bullshit jobs. If you are an influencer on Instagram, or you have a nail-studio, or count bugs as biologist, you probably have a very valuable job with which you help a lot of people.
Well, that’s not completely fair: as biologist you help us understanding and maintaining nature and thus you’re part of the fight against climate change. If you do a dance on TikTok or have a nail-studio, you don’t add any value at all.
I might just introduce a new word here: ‘consumore’, which is the greedy need of people to consume more and more. And that’s what these influencers and nail-studios do, they promote consumption. Mostly useless stuff, for that matter. The only good side of this stuff? It’s giving us a (very short) feeling of happiness, which gives us motivation and energy to communicate with others, go to work and be kind to other people.
But because of the consumores, the demand to useless stuff only increases, which means that companies will produce more useless stuff. Which has to be produced, marketed, sold and delivered all over the world. The pile of packages with cheap stuff that is bought online is growing every day, and is growing so big that postal couriers and logistics companies aren’t able to process and deliver them any longer, or only with huge delays.
If we can stop consumore and change it to consume-less, perhaps we can turn the tide and get the people away from the useless production and sales jobs, and get them to do actually useful work. Like making the world a better place to live.
The VAT twist for today? VAT is a consumption tax. It’s initial goals was to create income for governments. But nowadays it’s also used more often to steer consumption. It’s therefore perhaps also a responsibility for VAT people to steer consumption in the right direction.
If you have any comments, questions, or ideas that you want to share with us, please send us an email at [email protected] or leave a comment under the posts of this newsletter on LinkedIn.
Want to read more on consumption, the pro’s and the cons?:
- Article: The Gift of Death
- Column: The Upside of Useless Stuff
- Paper: Are We Consuming Too Much?
To go to the specific region of your interest, follow the link below.
WORLD
- Job opportunities in Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal and United Kingdom
- Job opportunities in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States
- Fiscalization types across the world
- EY’s 2020-21 Worldwide Transfer Pricing Guide
- Taxation of the digitalized economy
- Global developments E-Invoicing, Real Time Reporting, SAF-T
- Evaluation of Risks and Benefits of e-Invoicing
- Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide 2022
- Customs and Supply Chain: A focus point for your import and export flows
- Taxation in the metaverse: Some preliminary considerations
WEBINARS / EVENTS
- Sovos webinar: VAT Snapshot: Navigating Global CTC Requirements (May 25)
- GVC Webinar: Overcoming Indirect Tax Challenges in the Digital
AFRICA
- Critical Tax Issues for the Operation of a Holding Company Structure in Nigeria
- Nigeria Tax Agency Issues Guidelines on Taxation of Holding Companies
- VAT Consequences of providing Electronic Services to South African based customers
- South Africa Tax Guide 2022-2023
- Tunisia MOF Issues Note Clarifying VAT on International Trade, Export Services Under 2022 Finance Law
- Tunisia MOF Issues Note Clarifying VAT Exemption on Electronic Payments
AMERICAS
- Deadline for the transmission of the ECD and ECF postponed
- Scheduled Stop of the SVRS Authorization Environment for Fiscal Electronic Documents (DF-e)
- Reduction of the federal tax rates on manufactured products
- Mexico Publishes Updated List of Registered Non-Resident Digital Service Providers
- List of Non-Reisdent Digital Service Providers Registered in the Federal Taxpayer Registry for VAT purposes
- EU-US Trade and Technology Council: strengthening our renewed partnership in turbulent times
- US Kansas phases out sales tax on food
- Florida’s Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday Begins Next Saturday
- Colorado Introduces $0.27 Delivery Fee for Remote and E-Commerce Sales Effective July 1st, 2022
- How three multichannel retailers automate sales tax compliance
- States with local economic nexus – a review
- Michigan Guidance on Prepared Food
- State of Connecticut Rules Online Learning Plans Not Taxable as Digital Goods
- Virginia Expands Sales Tax Exemption for Network Equipment
- Kansas to phase out sales tax on groceries
- Certain Large Data Centers’ Purchases Exempt from Sales Tax in Nebraska
- Trends: Are sourcing rules changing (and making anything easier)?
- USTR begins process for possible review of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports
- Illinois (In-State) Retailer’s Sales Tax Responsibilities Flowchart
- Sales tax legislative updates (multiple states)
- Sales tax on passed-through costs (Kansas)
- Retail delivery fee (Colorado)
- June 2022 sales tax due dates
- S. States Sales Tax Updates: Connecticut, Washington, New Mexico, Maryland
- Kansas – ”Axe the Food Tax” eliminating the state sales tax on groceries
- Uruguay rolls over 13% reduced tourism VAT for COVID-19 again
- Uruguay Gazettes Decree Further Extending Reduced VAT Rate for Tourism Sector Due to…
ASIA-PACIFIC
- Tax treatment of digital assets and transactions; policy framework review
- Energy-related taxes pass parliament
- Fuel tax credit available for business use
- Navigating stamp tax (duty) rules in 2022
- ATO investigates 40,000 Aussies over alleged tax fraud scheme
- China To Refund Large Businesses’ VAT Sooner
- What is the Metaverse?
- How Does China View NFTs and What Are its Market Prospects?
- USTR begins process for possible review of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports
- Rajasthan follows Kerala in slashing VAT on fuel
- Daily GST Updates – May 20, 2022
- GST not binding on states
- Supreme Court strikes down levy of IGST on Ocean Freight
- Discount received through Credit Notes not part of Taxable Turnover under Kerala VAT Act: Kerala HC
- India Court Rules Sales Tax Panel Advise Isn’t Binding: Lawyer
- Taxation Of Cryptocurrencies – Virtual Digital Assets In India
- Supreme Court’s observation in Ocean Freight ruling could change landscape of GST framework: Experts
- Group of Ministers agree to levy 28% GST on casino, race course and online gaming
- Reverse charge GST on foreign crypto platforms; here is what industry insiders have to say
- Govt mulls extending April GST payment deadline; asks Infosys to fix glitch
- Group of Ministers agree to levy 28% GST on casino, race course and online gaming
- Applicability Of GST On Royalty Paid For Mining Limestone: Meghalaya High Court Stays GST Recovery
- Daily GST Updates – May 17, 2022
- Breaking: Technical Glitch in GSTN, CBIC to consider Extension of GSTR-3B Due Date
- A2ZTaxCorp’s Weekly GST Communique dated May 16, 2022
- CESTAT Allows Refund Of CENVAT Credits On Service Tax Paid During GST Regime Under Reverse Charge…
- Daily GST Updates – May 16, 2022
- ITC cannot be denied merely on ground of Cancellation of GST Registration of Suppliers: Calcutta HC
- Indonesia Expands Digital VAT Regime To More Businesses
- Financial Technology Implementation Services (Fintech Services), Digital Wallet will be subject to 11% VAT starting May 1
- GST refund to over 9000 cars’ buyers: FTO places comprehensive mechanism for FBR
- PM removes 17pc GST on solar panels
- Ministry of Finance clarifies the treatment of unreported VAT on import goods
- Taiwan 2021 Income Tax Return Filing Requirements for Foreign Enterprises Selling Cross-Border…
- Government Publishes Decree on VAT Relief for Imported Medical Equipment
- Uzbekistan Provides New and Revised Tax Benefits
EUROPE
- European Parliament approves five elements of “Fit for 55” climate package, including a more ambitious EU…
- Trends in VAT Audits – EU Focus on E-commerce
- VAT for Virtual Events – Exemption, Hybrid Events and Reduced Rates
- Comments on ECJ C-696/20: AG Opinion – a “double tax” can not be levied in the event of erroneous taxation of…
- The backbone of e-invoicing: the EU derogation to the VAT directive
- Dropshipping & VAT 2022: examples, special regulations, and exceptions
- EU Single VAT registration – movement of own stocks – VAT in the Digital Age
- EU VAT reforms tracker
- Loyens & Loeff | EU Tax Alert 194
- Europe Opened the Pandora Box of Reduced VAT Rates
- Fasten the seatbelts for the Upcoming E-Invoicing/Real Time Reporting/SAF-T implementations…
- Definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of biodiesel originating from the USA
- The DAC 7 directive and actions you should take
- EU Extension anti-fraud reverse charge
- New EU website on Digital Europe: Six years of Connecting Europe A report on Europe’s digital…
- Almost 1 year after implementation of Import One Stop Shop – early statistics
- 9th International VAT Conference 2022 (June 2 and 3)
- EU import indirect representative not liable for VAT (C-714/20)
- EU e-invoicing questions – VAT in the Digital Age
- VAT changes on virtual events January 2025
- Is compensation of damages taxable for VAT?
- European Commission Phasing Out State Aid COVID Temporary Framework
- Platform economy: Working papers of the VAT Committee, Group of the Future of VAT, VAT Expert Group (2014 – 2022)
- European Parliament approves suspension of Import Duties on Ukrainian Products
- EU-US Trade and Technology Council: strengthening our renewed partnership in turbulent times
- Flashback on ECJ Cases – C-151/13 (Le Rayon d’Or) – Concept of ”Subsidy directly linked to the price”
- Italy raises questions to the ECJ about VAT credits by shell companies
- Flashback on ECJ Cases – C-191/12 (Alakor Gabonatermelő és Forgalmazó) – Principle of repayment of taxes in breach of the rules of EU law does not preclude that State from refusing to repay part of the VAT
- Flashback on ECJ Cases – C-309/06 (Marks & Spencer) – Business should be able to…
- ECJ C-282/22 Dyrektor Krajowej lnformacji Skarbowej – Questions (no details yet)
- ECJ C-289/22 A.T.S. 2003 – Questions (no details yet)
- Flashback on ECJ Cases – C-368/06 (Cedilac) – Member States which, at 1 January 1978, applied provisions derogating from the principle of immediate deduction may continue to apply those provisions.
- Flashback on ECJ Cases – C-464/12 (ATP PensionService) – Asset management still exempt from VAT for certain pension funds
- Comments on ECJ C-250/21 – O. Fundusz: securitisation and the VAT exemption for credit – AGO
- Comments on ECJ C-235/21: Can a written agreement be considered as a VAT invoice?
- Comments on ECJ C-333/20: A tale of two companies in two cities: the CJEU’s ruling on fxed establishment…
- Comments on ECJ C-714/20: The indirect customs representative is not jointly and severally liable with the importer for the payment of the import VAT
- Comments on ECJ C-250/21: According to AG ECJ, VAT exemption for granting credits does not apply to…
- Comments on ECJ C-714/20 – Indirect customs representative liable for customs duties not for import VAT
- ECJ rules on the correlation between EU customs duties, excise and import VAT in a smuggling case
- Comments on ECJ C-9/20: Discrepancy between when input VAT is deductible and when supplier VAT…
- Comments on ECJ C-697/20 (Dyrektor Izby Skarbowej w L.) – ECJ issued a preliminary ruling on Polish VAT rules for agricultural activities
- AG Opinion on Case No. C-227/21 (‘HA.EN.’ UAB) – Right to deduct input VAT on intra-community transactions would not be able to pay the VAT incurred to the tax…
- Comments on ECJ C-227/21: AG Opinion on Case No. C-227/21 (‘HA.EN.’ UAB) – Right to deduct input VAT on intra-community transactions would not be able to…
- Circular on lowering the VAT Rates on house demolition and reconstruction
- Belgium: on its way to implement B2B e-invoicing
- Circular 2022/C/48 on the temporarily reduced VAT rate for the supply of electricity, for the…
- Circular 2022/C/49 on the guidelines of the 118th VAT Committee on the call-off stock scheme
- Tolerance for donations to Ukraine
- Constructions services: tax & legal aspects
- Electronic Invoicing Required as of Jan 1, 2025?
- Circular 2022/C/54 on the introduction of a monthly refund scheme for certain taxable persons required to fulfil public service obligations
- Proposal: 0% VAT on bread – 9% on heating, hot water, natural gas – increase VAT registration threshold
- Bulgaria cuts VAT on heating and bread to combat 14.4% inflation
- Czech to raise VAT registration threshold
- SAC on proving VAT exemption for supplies of goods to the EU
- European Council Approves Proposal Authorizing Czech Republic to Implement VAT Exemptions for Small Enterprises
- European Council authorizes Czech Republic to apply a VAT exemption registration threshold of EUR 85,000
- No delays in the introduction of mandatory e-Invoicing in France
- The implications of e-invoicing in France
- France VAT country guide
- Tax exemption for intra-community supplies- change in the VAT application decree
- Three-month cut in energy tax on fuels passed
- Government clarifies the decision on VAT Deduction for input services
- Federal Fiscal Court changes jurisprudence on VAT exemption for sport
- VAT prepayments as regularly recurring payments
- Different VAT treatment of online gambling versus physical (offline) gambling in breach of EU law?
- Amendment of the application decree for the tax code (AEAO)
- German VAT country guide
- The German VAT group is tottering … – but will it fall?
- VAT liability of a golf club
- No automatic exemption for sports services
- Government issues VAT treatment of airport lounge access
- Consequences of the conversion to § 2b UStG (public sector’s sales tax of their activities) for input tax deduction
- Greece extends again temporary reduced VAT till 31 Dec 2022
- International transfers via foreign tourist buses – Conditions of permanent establishment – VAT and place of passenger transport services depending on the…
- Updated guidance: Importer (i.e. the consignee) is obliged to account for Postponed Accounting and not…
- VAT exemption unlikely on low emission slurry spreaders
- 5% VAT only if the natural gas for combustion is the object of direct supply
- Company canteens and meal vouchers: VAT differentiated according to the means of payment chosen by…
- Environmental monitoring by the foundation is subject to VAT
- Applicability of VAT to the amount paid by a Port System Authority Port to a foundation for carrying out the…
- Transfer of VAT credit by persons resident in non-EU countries – Article 5, paragraph 4-ter, of Decree-Law No. 70 of March 14, 1988.
- Purchase of goods and services to develop a platform for the collection of digital signatures – Applicable VAT rate
- Italy VAT country guide
- VAT refunds ex Article 38-ter, Presidential Decree 633/1972, always precluded for VAT credits arising from imports?
- Ruling 268: Cat litter composed of corn granules and agglomerates – VAT rate applicable – reduced rate
- Italy abolishes Esterometro in July 2022
- Italy Issues Circular Providing Further Clarification on Specific Issues for DAC6 Reporting
- Italy: E-invoicing via SDI extension
- 4% VAT for corrective contact lenses
- Italian tax authorities accuse Booking.com of VAT fraud (2021)
- No VAT on the sale of apartments due to ‘transfer of a going concern’
- VAT due upon acceptance of winning bid auction
- Group satsangs taxed with 9% VAT
- Making sailing yachts available on the basis of a subscription; application reduced rate; sports…
- VAT rate for Vipassana retreats and satsangs
- The use of cabin yachts does not qualify as sports practice
- VAT and government grant: higher VAT deduction for educational institutions
- Response to letter about VAT for live streaming performances and concerts
- Provision of a voucher is the moment when VAT performance is performed by the internet auction…
- Reliability and legality of information can also be tested without the names of German officials
- Deposit into a notary’s escrow account qualifies for VAT as a fee received
- No fiscal unity VAT due to lack of financial interdependence
- No decision yet on abolishing VAT on public transport services
- No VAT deduction for association activities industry association with non-entrepreneur members
- Answers to parliamentary questions about the VAT rate on public transport
- Higher Education for the Elderly (HOVO) exempt from turnover tax due to the nomination exemption
- No VAT group due to lack of financial link
- VAT due despite sales price on third-party account
- NOB concerned about over-reporting due to digital platforms bill
- No right to deduct input tax on unpaid invoices
- Poland VAT country guide
- Official application for e-invoices is now available
- The marginal scope of liability towards third parties does not allow to assume that the manager performs independent economic activity
- Covid-19: since May 16, 2022, the 0% VAT rate cannot longer be applied to selected donations
- If the seller accepts too much cash, they will pay double tax
- Municipal police and trade inspection will issue tickets for non-issuing of receipts
- The shop cannot sell without electricity
- Zero VAT on books is becoming more and more real
- Act on amendments to VAT and anti-inflation shield without Senate amendments
- Poland likely to extend inflation VAT cuts
- Invoice App will guide you through KSeF
- Cancellation of the epidemic state – what about taxes?
- Poland Further Increases Late Payment Interest Rates
- There is no VAT on the penalty for withdrawal from the contract
- Mandatory B2G e-invoicing as of July 2022
- Mandatory B2G E-Invoicing as of July 1, 2022
- Romania Makes Invoice Submission Through RO E-Invoice System for Business-to-Government Transactions Mandatory
- Application of VAT exemptions for maintenance and repair of an apartment building explained
- Ministry of Finance allowed the abolition of VAT on the purchase of diamonds
- VAT exemption will be granted to intellectual property rights obtained under franchising agreements
- Russia Planning New Tax Rules For Cryptocurrencies
- Exemption of the sale of medical devices from VAT will require valid registration certificates
- Explanation about calculation of VAT on training materials
- Slovak Republic Government Approves Proposal for Special Tax on Russian Oil
- Technical solution of the e-invoice system (real time invoicing)
- Rules for issuing invoices
- Slovenia to cut VAT on domestic energy and digital news as inflation rises
- SAP: Electronic VAT Register Books with SII
- New tax measures in the Law on waste and contaminated land for a circular economy
- First Spanish ruling on the VAT treatment of the sale of NFTs
- NFT will be subject to and not exempt from VAT (21% rate)
- Spanish tax on non-reusable plastic packaging
- Montero announces that VAT will not be lowered on menstrual hygiene products
- Turnover limit for VAT exemption threshold increased to SEK 80,000
- Refund of VAT upon termination of voluntary tax liability during construction
- Sweden Gazettes Law Amending VAT Exemption Rules
- No public consultation in Sweden on Digital Reporting
- Swiss Federal Council Approves Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information with 12 Partner States
- Swiss VAT is due on the sale of NFTs
- Switzerland eliminates import customs duties on industrial goods as of 1 January 2024
- Swiss Voters Approve Introduction of 4% Tax on Video Streaming Service Providers
- Approval of 4% tax on streaming services referred to as ‘Lex Netflix’
- Will VAT be reimbursed during martial law?
- Does the single taxpayer have to file a VAT return at the rate of 2 percent?
- Ukraine Provides New Q&As on the Peculiarities of the Simplified Taxation System During Martial Law
- VAT liabilities – Flapjacks
- PCN clinical directors’ management work could be subject to VAT
- HMRC Guidance: Changes to accounting for VAT for Northern Ireland and Great Britain from 1 January 2021
- UKH and BBPA call for online sales tax
- FTT: Ground works preparatory to installing flexi vault burial chambers an exempt supply
- FTT: deductibility of input tax on the costs of advertising on Google
- Online sales tax proposal does not click with tax experts
- Retail industry now waiting for outcome of online sales tax consultation
- HMRC Guidance: Exemption and partial exemption from VAT
- HMRC Guidance: Partial exemption (VAT Notice 706)
- HMRc Policy paper: Revenue and Customs Brief 9 (2022): VAT domestic reverse charge for mobile phones and computer chips
- HMRC Guidance: Group and divisional registration (VAT Notice 700/2)
- HMRC Guidance: The VAT treatment of passenger transport (VAT Notice 744A)
- HMRC targeting directors in VAT fraud crackdown
- Guidance: Charge, reclaim and record VAT
- Northern Ireland: valuing goods for import VAT
- VAT treatment Changes to the installation of Energy Saving Materials
- New VAT penalties and interest charges
- Zipvit – Supreme Court ruling – HMRC Success
- Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) Statements – April Errors Resolved
- Hotel and Serviced Accommodation – Why are there so may VAT rates?
- UK and Welsh governments reach £26 million deal to establish new Freeport in Wales
- HMRC Guidance: Penalties for not telling HMRC about Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme…
- HMRC Guidance: Complete your VAT Return to account for import VAT – Problem with April 2022 postponed VAT statements has now been fixed
- Taking goods out of the UK for repair and bringing them back? Beware of seizures!
- Online sales tax: Assessing an option to help rebalance taxation of the retail sector
- HMRC Guidance: Investment gold coins (VAT Notice 701/21A)
- HMRC Guidance: Delaying declarations for goods brought into Great Britain
- NEP NHS Consortium mandates the electronic exchange of purchase orders and invoices
- VAT: Second Hand Scheme – Global Accounting simplification
- HMRC Guidance: Prepare for upcoming changes to VAT penalties and VAT interest charges
- Zipvit: no VAT recovery on Royal Mail services treated as exempt – SC
- IML: self-invested pension plan did not qualify for insurance exemption – FTT
- HMRC tax fraud: Clydebank woman fined for VAT scheme
- Accountants need “back-up from HMRC” in MTD ITSA transition
- VAT treatment of deposits and advance payments
- Zipvit and VAT (C-156/20)
- HMRC Guidance: How to value goods for import VAT
- HMRC Guidance: Fuel and power (VAT Notice 701/19)
- HMRC Guidance: VAT and overseas goods sold to customers in the UK using online marketplaces
- Further delay to elements of the Border Operating Model
- VAT treatment of deposits and advance payments
- HMRC extends period allowed to amend export declarations
MIDDLE EAST
- Israel VAT March and April filing extension
- Israel Tax Agency Announces Extended Deadlines for Periodic VAT Returns
- United Arab Emirates Tax Agency Announces Deadlines to File VAT
- Everything You Must Know About VAT on Mixed-Use Developments in UAE
- VAT Transactions between UAE branch and foreign Head Office
