“It is clear that, in the EU single market VAT fraudsters often are a few steps ahead of national regulation,” said Roberts Zīle, Latvian Vice-President of the ECR Group said today after his report on cross border VAT cooperation was adopted today.

EP endorses Roberts Zīle’s report on enhanced EU cooperation in the fight against cross-border VAT fraud.

“It is clear that, in the EU single market VAT fraudsters often are a few steps ahead of national regulation,” said Roberts Zīle, Latvian Vice-President of the ECR Group said today after his report on cross border VAT cooperation was adopted today.

The proposals introduce new instruments to improve the exchange of online information within EU anti-fraud networks which will helps countries to quickly and efficiently obtain information on illicit cross-border activities, including vehicle registration data from other Member States.

Zille continued: “The new changes that will improve the cross border cooperation on tax collection between, thus improving collection and is a clear step in the right direction. The proposal has also made improvements to achieve a better balance between the interests and responsibilities of the applicant and requesting authorities. Data protection principles must also be respected, therefore, the report should also better define the rights of claimants. In addition, there is a simplified mechanism for member states to take action on outstanding VAT obligations.

EP amendments also stipulate that now, tax officials even from one single member state (not two or more, as defined in the European Commission’s proposal), may request information from another authority, as well as perform an audit to initiate administrative proceedings.