Also in the news...
New immigration system: what you need to know
The UK has introduced a points-based immigration system.
Preparing for the Customs Declaration Service
Find out what you need to do to prepare for making declarations on the Customs Declaration Service.
Online Business Set-Up: 5 Tips to Help Your Website Rank in the UK
If you’re setting up a new online business, having a user-friendly website and sound SEO strategy that’s tailored to your target market is important. And if you’re targeting British consumers, there are a few SEO boxes you can tick to ensure you rank well on UK-based searches and drive the right traffic back to your website.
Check if you’re established in the UK for customs
Find out whether you're established in the UK for customs purposes.
Carry out international road haulage
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage.
VAT Increase On Electricity For Residential Consumption In Belgium
The Belgian federal government is expected to raise €712m by 2018 from ‘tax shift’ measures which include this month’s change in the VAT rate for the supply of domestic electricity
On 23 August 2015 the Belgian government decided to increase the VAT rate on domestic supply of electricity. As of 1 September 2015, the supply of electricity to residential consumers has been subject to the standard VAT rate of 21%, instead of the reduced VAT rate of 6%.
This is a step back from the decision of the previous administration, which introduced the reduced rate on 1 April 2014 to reduce the tax burden on the final consumers.
It was meant for families and private households, but was abused by bigger players and companies. The government’s intention is to stop this practice, however, this will inevitably add an additional €256 on a family’s annual energy bill (according to consumer group Test-Aankoop).
The move has been highly criticised with even an online petition started against the changes, however clearly it has not prevented the increase from going ahead.
Need more information? Contact our expert VAT team.