2011 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) declaration form (Members Only) (click here). For details of CPD requirements click here.

Third International Indirect Tax Conference: Tuesday 21 February (click here for details)

VAT White Paper

The summary report (click here to view) on the public consultation on the future of the VAT system is now available. In this paper, the Commission announces 26 measures in the field of VAT for the coming years, which include:

Simplification:

• a renunciation of the principle of origin with a legislative proposal in the first half of 2014 to establish a definite destination principle regime (points 25-26);
• responding to member states' concerns, the introduction of a general one-stop shop will only be envisaged after 2015, based on the experience from the “mini one stop shop” for certain sectors (points 1-2);
• opening of an EU VAT portal with up-to-date information on member states' VAT rules, including lists of products for which the standard rate does not apply (points 3, 12);
• issuing of more explanatory notes before entry into force of new EU VAT legislation (point 4);
• establishment of an “EU VAT Forum” with Commission, member states and stakeholders (point 5);
• a standardised VAT declaration proposal in 2013, followed by standardised VAT registration, invoices a.o. (points 6-7).

Tax base and rates:

• phasing out exemptions to reduce competition distortions in areas with both private and public sector involvement (point 8);
• abolition of the option to exempt passenger transport (point 9);
• no extension of exemptions for non-profit organisations (point 10);
• shortening the list of current possibilities to reduce rates (point 11).

Anti-fraud:

• introduction of a quick reaction mechanism to grant derogations more quickly to fight fraud schemes (point 13);
• significantly broadening automated access to information (point 15);
• establishment of an EU cross-border audit team (point 16);
• encouraging tax administrations to develop “enhanced relationship” with businesses (point 20);
• asking for an EU mandate for negotiating information exchange agreement with non-EU countries in indirect tax (point 21);
• despite widespread criticism, the Commission intends to further explore the “split payment model” (point 23).

Conference information updated on 5 December 2011 (click here)

More back issues of Indirect TaxVoice now online (click News, left)

Recognition of Professional Qualifications Green Paper

On 6 July the European Commission published:

• a summary (click here to view) of the responses to the public consultation on the review of the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (RPQ) Directive held between January and March 2011; and
• its evaluation of the functioning RPQ Directive (click here to view). This 89-page document is the result of its consultations with member states, professional bodies and the public since early 2010.

The green paper is now available in all EU languages (click here to view the English version).

New offer now on the Members Only page

Three newly admitted Fellows: John Voyez formerly an Associate who now becomes a Fellow and Sir Stephen Oliver and Ian Fleming both awarded Honorary Fellowship (click here for details)

New Guide to Application for Fellowship (click here)

Click the "Members only" button on the left for details of the latest membership offers.

HMRC is about to publish the document CUSTOMS INFORMATION PAPER (11) 15: Tariff Preference: New EU-South Korea Agreement – Approved Exporter Requirement – please click here to view the document

Ethical Rules and Practice Guidelines (click here).

Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (click here)

The Institute of Indirect Taxation is one of the leading UK professional bodies involved in taxation which has issued updated guidance on how tax advisers should act in difficult situations.

The guidance appears in the publication 'Professional Conduct in relation to Taxation', which has been issued by the bodies today. It concerns the tripartite relationship between the taxpayer, the tax adviser and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). It sets out the standards to be followed by members of the professional bodies when dealing with HMRC in connection with a client's tax affairs.

London Branch news (click Membership on the left and select Branches from the list on that page)

The Institute is an affiliate member of the Academy of Experts. Click here for the Academy's latest "Update", here for the previous issue and here for the issue before that.