Vat Fraud And Client Acceptance

See Section VAT Fraud
The study for the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, found member states lost an estimated 193 billion euros ($258 billion) in VAT revenues in 2011, or 1.5 percent of the EU's economic output. European Commission - Press Release - Fight against fraud: new study confirms billions lost in VAT Gap

Actively combating VAT fraud is a priority for the European commission and local governments. New measures are being taken such as the introduction of individual liability for not remitting VAT if the buyer knew or should have known that he was buying from a fraud. To prevent such a condition of liability, the ability to demonstrate that sufficient control measures have been taken is essential.

EU study VAT Gap due to Fraud

Is it not realistic to state that the risk of a tax audit increases in those countries that have lost substantial tax revenue because of VAT fraud? Something to consider from an audit defense strategy perspective and could be a reason to challenge the company's current indirect tax priorities set.

One of the tasks of the indirect tax function is to timely identify changes in legislation and regulations potentially affecting the group and/or its business. There could be many other arguments why for example review of control measures to avoid such liability should be a top priority.

Top on our list is managing reputational risk.

Do you agree?