VAT in the Digital Economy
This course explores the impact of e-commerce transactions on VAT systems and the OECD recommendation for the place of supply rules on these transactions. Additionally, the course deals with the place of supply rules in several jurisdictions, their rationale and why was there a need for change. The VAT challenges of e-commerce transactions and potential solutions, from the taxable person’s, the tax authorities’ and the marketplace perspective; and the VAT consequences of the sharing economy are also analysed. The VAT treatment of cryptoassets and NFTs is also covered. Finally, participants explore the interaction between VAT and technology. The modules will focus on determining the relevance of data collection and its use for tax authorities, businesses and third parties, including reporting obligations. How new technology, for example, blockchain can help combating VAT fraud is explained.
Introduction to VAT in the digital economy
- Trends and international policy issues on VAT/GST
- The OECD work on VAT/GST
- Main features of a VAT/GST system
E-commerce – Setting the scene, trends and place of supply rules
- Setting the scene – Trends and best practices
- VAT rules of the place of supply and collection methods
- Place of supply rules
E-commerce supply of services – Comparative analysis
- How the European Union has implemented the VAT rules for
online supplies of services by foreign suppliers - VAT rules on online supplies of services by foreign suppliers
in different jurisdictions around the globe - VAT on online supplies of services
E-commerce imports of low value goods – Comparative analysis
- How the European Union has implemented the VAT
e-commerce package - Other jurisdictions: Australia, New Zealand, Norway and
the United Kingdom - Presenting the challenges using real scenarios
E-commerce – Challenges
- Challenges of the digital economy
- VAT consequences of the sharing economy
- Future potential developments
VAT and cryptoassets including cryptocurrencies and NFTs
- Creating a deeper understanding of the characteristics of various
cryptoassets, such as: how they are created (mining process) and
a description of the transactions involving cryptoassets including
cryptocurrencies, NFTs and game tokens - Main VAT/GST consequences of the various aspects concerning
cryptocurrencies and their transactions - Creating a deeper understanding of the various VAT/GST
consequences of NFTs, game tokens and other assets
VAT and technology: Data collection and reporting obligations
- Relevance of data in VAT and methods of data collection
- Reporting obligations and automated data collection:
e-assesment/e-reporting/e-invoicing - The use of blockchain in VAT
VAT and technology: The use of data and third-party obligations
- The role of the tax authorities in the collection of data
- The importance of digitalisation of VAT reporting in a business
- The role of third parties in the collection of data
After following the online course, a tax professional will:
- Identify trends for taxing VAT/GST in the digital economy
- Assess how the evolution of technology and business models changed the way VAT/GST is collected
- Describe the rules recommended by the OECD related to transactions in the digital economy and how different jurisdictions implemented them
- Identify the VAT treatment of different cryptoassets
- Determine the relevance of data collection for tax administrations and businesses
- Assess when new technology can improve VAT compliance
- Alfredo Espada, AstraZeneca, Switzerland
- Andrew Bohnet, Innovatetax, United Kingdom
- Fabiola Annacondia, IBFD, The Netherlands
- Fernando Matesanz, VAT Services Asesores, Spain
- Gorka Echevarria, Lexmark, Switzerland
- Johan Visser, Atlas, The Netherlands
- Jordi Sol, Taxamo, Switzerland
- Laura Alarcón Díaz, IBFD, The Netherlands
- Marie Lamensch, UC Louvain, Belgium
- Oscar Smeets, Deloitte, The Netherlands
- Sophie Kallen, Atlas, The Netherlands
- Stéphane Buydens, OECD, France
The course is open for all; however, it would be highly beneficial for:
- Tax lawyers from law/and or accounting firms
- Tax/VAT professionals of law/accounting firms
- Tax/VAT professionals/directors of businesses
- Finance professionals/manager/controllers of businesses
- Government officials/Tax inspectors from tax administrations
No advance preparation is necessary. All required study material is provided within the online training.
Access to the online course is granted for a period of 2 months, from the date of ordering or the indicated start date.
Mandatory course activities: 11 hours 26 min
All mandatory course activities can be completed within the access period by dedicating approx. 1 hour 26 mins of study per week. Please note that study materials included in the course or certificate programme will be accessible for the duration of the access period only. Non-mandatory supplementary material is also provided in this course.
We recommend you check with your respective accrediting organizations to determine the eligibility of CPE credits.
International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
Recommended NASBA CPE credits for this course is: 12
See our FAQ section for more information. Regarding administrative policies such as complaint, cancellation or refund, please refer to our Terms and Conditions or contact us at info@ibfd.org.
Field of study: Taxes
Delivery format: Online - QAS Self Study
Course last reviewed: March 2023
Please note that the content of this online course is subject to change based on updates in industry standards, regulatory requirements, and other developments. We strive to provide the most accurate and current information; however, we recommend verifying any critical details independently.
Group Participation
If you are an enterprise and would like to register a group of more than 5 participants from your company, please email us at info@ibfd.org for more details.
