In October, the European Commission issued explanatory notes on EU VAT place of supply rules on services connected with immovable property. These notes, prepared by the Directorate Gen for Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission, are intended to assist with the proper application / interpretation of changes to the EU VAT Implementing Regulations 2011 (282/2011/EU) that become effective throughout the EU on January 1st 2017.

Members should be aware that Article 47 of the EU VAT Directive says that services connected with immovable property should be subject to VAT in the country in which the property is located. The Implementing Regulations now confirm that services allowing a customer to exchange to a timeshare resort are within the scope of Article 47 and, therefore, subject to VAT in the country in which the accommodation is located.

The Implementing Regulations have direct effect in all EU member states, therefore member state Governments don’t have to make changes to their local VAT rules in order to accommodate this change.

Lizarza Abogados 

Abril 2016