VAT The UK may be treated as a third country for EU VAT purposes. This results in increased compliance for cross border trading, because UK companies may for example have no longer access to:
Furthermore, companies doing business from the UK may have to register in all 27 EU Member States in which VAT should be paid. All countries having different VAT rates, invoice rules and time of supply rules. Also, digital companies may be confronted with different interpretations of EU VAT concepts, such as fixed establishments, which potentially creates mismatches between EU Member States in the VAT treatment of business models. Such mismatches could trigger VAT assessments increased with penalties and interest and should therefore be carefully considered when operating throughout the EU. Corporate tax and withholding taxes EU directives might not be applicable anymore resulting in taxation of dividend payments and taxation of interest and royalty payments. Within the EU these payments are in principle exempt from any withholding tax. Furthermore, cross-border merges and acquisitions may no longer be tax exempt. Such would make the UK a less favorable location to establish a European hub for digital companies. Expat taxation A Brexit may result in a large restriction on the free movement of people, one of the four fundamental EU freedoms, between the EU and the UK. This would impact UK digital economy companies in attracting talent from across Europe. UK businesses employing EU workers may need to take action to ensure they will still have a right to work in the UK. On the other hand it may become more burdensome and difficult to attract employees from Europa. Furthermore, EU/EEA reciprocal social security arrangements may no longer be available which impacts the social security contributions payable by and in respect of individuals. Conclusion As the present circumstances constitute an unprecedented situation, it is clear that the full extent of the changes resulting from a Brexit will not be known (or effective) for some time. However, it may very well be the case that the Brexit will have important medium to long-term consequences for the UK tax system, especially as British tax rules will over time increasingly diverge from the EU rules. Although this might be mitigated by the expected political pressure to mirror EU changes to which the UK would be subject, Brexit is expected to lead to more complexities and administrative burden for digital economy companies active both in the UK and in the EU. As such the Netherlands seems to remain an attractive location for a European Hub for digital economy companies. Contacts
15/7/2016 22:52:29
The process for the UK exit is going to be fast and with no Negotiation from the rest of the US, like in business, the quicker the better! it is not going to be Polo party rather a Rugby game in less than 90 days... Comments are closed.
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