During a recent working visit of European Commissioner Semeta to Rotterdam, Dutch State Secretary of Finance Frans Weekers called for action to be taken to expedite the slow processing of European Union (EU) value-added tax (VAT) refunds to Dutch entrepreneurs.
Dutch State Secretary Weekers stated that: “The European rules are interpreted differently by the member states. The result is that Dutch entrepreneurs wait too long for their VAT refund in these economically difficult times.”
Commenting on the issue, the Dutch finance ministry explained that: “One of the problems is that no mandatory term has been stipulated by the commission for EU VAT refunds. The rules are applied differently too, so that VAT refunds are sometimes shelved in other countries.”
It added: “Luxemburg, for instance, has so far failed to send out acknowledgements of receipt for almost 1,000 VAT refund applications and Austria does not accept corrections in the way that has been agreed within the European Union.”
The Netherlands has forwarded all applications for a VAT refund to the countries involved.
Dutch State Secretary Weekers stated that: “The European rules are interpreted differently by the member states. The result is that Dutch entrepreneurs wait too long for their VAT refund in these economically difficult times.”
Commenting on the issue, the Dutch finance ministry explained that: “One of the problems is that no mandatory term has been stipulated by the commission for EU VAT refunds. The rules are applied differently too, so that VAT refunds are sometimes shelved in other countries.”
It added: “Luxemburg, for instance, has so far failed to send out acknowledgements of receipt for almost 1,000 VAT refund applications and Austria does not accept corrections in the way that has been agreed within the European Union.”
The Netherlands has forwarded all applications for a VAT refund to the countries involved.
