The European Commission releases its proposal for VAT reform

The European Commission releases its proposal for VAT reform

As announced on its 2016 VAT action Plan, the European Commission published a proposal to review the Value Added Tax (VAT) Directive.

The objectives of this proposal are both to offer more flexibility to Member States as well as to establish a uniform structure in which Members States can set their own VAT rates.

The Commission’s proposal could have a strong impact on the VAT rates system as the rules will evolve from a pre-defined list of goods and services, for which reduced rates or VAT exemptions were allowed (current system), to a new list of products, in which the standard rate of minimum 15% must always be applied. In addition, the European Commission announced that the proposed definitive regime will be based on taxation taking into account the countries of destination instead of the country of origin as initially envisaged.

This proposal might also have consequences for sport activities. Indeed, within the current system, the following activities are covered by the list of potential exemptions or reduced rate:

  • Exemptions regarding “services closely linked to sport or physical education provided by non-profit-making organisations”.
  • Reduced rates: “Admission to sporting events" and the "use of sporting facilities”. Despite the statement of the Commission that “all goods currently enjoying rates different from the standard rate can continue to do so”, the decision of maintaining these exemptions will belong to Member States, at the national level.
  • In that perspective, the challenge for national sport organisations will be to convince their government regarding the necessity to keep supporting their actions via taxations reductions or exemptions.

On the other side, these new rules could also represent a real opportunity to increase the support given to sport activities, by diversifying the areas covered by reduced VAT rates. Furthermore, another aspect that could have an impact on sport is the inclusion, in the new proposed list of “Supply of gambling and betting services”.

This legislative proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council for adoption. The EOC EU Office will closely follow the process and share the Sport movement’s position with all relevant EU officials.

Recent Posts

European Commission’s 7th Expert Group meeting on Covid-19 Sport recovery addresses impact of pandemic on sport and challenges ahead

On 23 March, the European Commission hosted the 7th meeting of the Expert Group on Covid-19 Sport recovery. The meeting gathered representatives of Member States and sports organisations who discussed the multifaceted long-term impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on sport. First, Floor Van Houdt, Head of the Sport Unit of the European Commission informed the […]

Read More
Sport organisations, Member States and European Commission gather for the 8th Expert Group on Green Sport

On 24 March, the 8th Meeting of the European Commission Expert Group on Green Sport took place in Brussels and online. The main aim of the meeting, which brought together Member States and sport organisations’ experts, was to review the structure of the forthcoming Expert Group Recommendations on a Framework for Sustainable Sport in Europe […]

Read More
European Commission launches #BeActive Awards 2023 competition

On 16 March, the European Commission opened the submission for the #BeActive Awards 2023. The #BeActive Awards 2023 are designed to celebrate organisations and projects that have thrivingly promoted sport and physical activity throughout Europe. The #BeActive Awards 2023  includes four categories: Across Generations award: this award, first launched in 2022, is intended to honour […]

Read More

Related Posts

March 27, 2023
European Commission’s 7th Expert Group meeting on Covid-19 Sport recovery addresses impact of pandemic on sport and challenges ahead

On 23 March, the European Commission hosted the 7th meeting of the Expert Group on Covid-19 Sport recovery. The meeting gathered representatives of Member States and sports organisations who discussed the multifaceted long-term impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on sport. First, Floor Van Houdt, Head of the Sport Unit of the European Commission informed the […]

March 27, 2023
Sport organisations, Member States and European Commission gather for the 8th Expert Group on Green Sport

On 24 March, the 8th Meeting of the European Commission Expert Group on Green Sport took place in Brussels and online. The main aim of the meeting, which brought together Member States and sport organisations’ experts, was to review the structure of the forthcoming Expert Group Recommendations on a Framework for Sustainable Sport in Europe […]

March 17, 2023
European Commission launches #BeActive Awards 2023 competition

On 16 March, the European Commission opened the submission for the #BeActive Awards 2023. The #BeActive Awards 2023 are designed to celebrate organisations and projects that have thrivingly promoted sport and physical activity throughout Europe. The #BeActive Awards 2023  includes four categories: Across Generations award: this award, first launched in 2022, is intended to honour […]

About us

The EOC EU Office is the House of European Sport, representing the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the IOC and other major sport organisations to the European institutions in Brussels.
CONTACT
crossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram