# IMMC.COM%282021%29711%20final.ENG.xhtml.1_EN_ACT_part1_v3.docx

european flagEUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 23.11.2021 COM(2021) 711 final 2021/0369(NLE) Proposal for a COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION amending Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU as regards authorisation to the Kingdom of Belgium to apply for a further period the special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM Pursuant to Article 395(1) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of valued added tax (‘the VAT Directive’), the Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission, may authorise any Member State to apply special measures for derogation from the provisions of that Directive in order to simplify the procedure for collecting VAT or to prevent certain forms of tax evasion or avoidance. By letter registered with the Commission on 5 May 2021, Belgium requested an authorisation to continue to apply, until 31 December 2024, a measure derogating from Article 285 of the VAT Directive, allowing Belgium to exempt from VAT taxable persons whose annual turnover is no higher than EUR 25 000. In accordance with Article 395(2), second subparagraph, of the VAT Directive, the Commission informed the other Member States by letter dated 29 June 2021 of the request made by Belgium. The Commission notified Belgium by letter dated 30 June 2021 that it had all the information necessary to consider the request. 1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL • Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Chapter 1 of Title XII of the VAT Directive allows for the possibility for Member States to apply special schemes for small enterprises, including the possibility of exempting taxable persons below a certain annual turnover. This exemption implies that a taxable person does not have to charge VAT on his supplies and, consequently, he or she cannot deduct the VAT on his inputs. Under Article 285 of the VAT Directive, Member States which did not make use of Article 14 of Council Directive 67/228/E E C 1 , can exempt taxable persons whose threshold is no higher than EUR 5 000. As Belgium did not make use of this option, this resulted in the application of a particularly low threshold which in 2012 corresponded to EUR 5 580. At the request of Belgium, by Council Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU 2 the Council authorised Belgium to exempt from VAT taxable persons whose annual turnover is no higher than EUR 25 000 until 31 December 2015. This decision was first prolonged until 31 December 2018 by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2348 3 , and then until 31 December 2021 by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/2077 4 . Belgium requested another extension of that measure for a limited period. Belgium indicated that the special measure reduces administrative burden for both taxable persons and the tax authority. It therefore contributes to the simplification of tax collection, as set out in Article 395(1) of the VAT Directive. The measure is and will remain fully optional for taxable persons. According to Belgium, at the end of 2019 around 167 000 taxpayers, being 16.5 % of all registered taxpayers, made use of the special measure. The impact of the special measure on VAT revenues remains negligible, as it does not significantly affect the total amount of revenue from VAT or the overall amount of tax revenue collected at the stage of final consumption. The derogating measure, simplifying the obligations of small operators, is in line with the objectives set out by the European Union for small businesses. Given the positive impact on the reduction of administrative burden for businesses and the tax administration without a major impact on the total VAT revenue, it is appropriate to authorise Belgium to extend the derogation measure until 31 December 2024.
• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area The derogating measure is in line with the objectives of Directive (EU) 2020/285 amending Articles 281 to 294 of the VAT Directive on a special scheme for small enterprises 5 , which re sulted from the VAT action plan 6 , and aims to create a modern, simplified scheme for those businesses. In particular, it seeks to reduce VAT compliance costs and distortions of competition both domestically and at EU level, reduce the negative impact of the threshold effect, and facilitate business compliance as well as monitoring by tax administrations. Moreover, the threshold of EUR 25 000 is consistent with Directive (EU) 2020/285, insofar as it allows Member States to set the annual turnover threshold required for an exemption from VAT at a level no higher than EUR 85 000 (or the equivalent in national currency). Similar derogations, exempting from VAT taxable persons whose annual turnover is below a certain threshold, as provided for in Articles 285 and 287 of the VAT Directive, have been granted to other Member States. The Nether lands 7 has been granted a threshold of EUR 25 000; It aly 8 a threshold of EUR 30 000, Luxembourg 9 a threshold of EUR 35 000; Poland 10 , Latvia 11 and Estonia 12 have been granted a thr eshold of EUR 40 000; Hungary 13 a threshold of EUR 48 000; Lithuania 14 a threshol d of EUR 55 000; Croatia 15 a threshold of EUR 45 000; Malta 16 a thr eshold of EUR 30 000; Slovenia 17 a thresh old of EUR 50 000; and Romania 18 a threshold of EUR 88 500. Derogations from the VAT Directive should always be limited in time so that their effects can be assessed. In addition, the inclusion of an expiry date of the special measure until 31 December 2024, as requested by Belgium, is aligned with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2020/285. That directive provides for 1 January 2025 as the date on which Member States will have to apply the national provisions, which they are required to adopt, to comply with it. The proposed measure is therefore consistent with the provisions of the VAT Directive.
• Consistency with other Union policies The Commission has been consistently stressing the need for simpler rules for small enterprises. In this respect, the Commission adopted in March 2020 an SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe 19 , where it committed to continue to work to reduce the burden on SMEs. The objective to reduce the regulatory burden for SMEs is one of the pillars of that strategy. This special measure is in line with such objectives, as far as fiscal rules are concerned. It is also consistent with the 2020 Action Plan on fair and simple taxation s upporting the recovery strategy 20 , which acknowledges that tax compliance costs remain high in the EU, and that compliance costs are typically substantially higher for small than for large companies.
2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY • Legal basis Article 395 of the VAT Directive.
• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence) Considering the provision of the VAT Directive on which it is based, the proposal falls under the exclusive competence of the European Union. Hence, the subsidiarity principle does not apply.
• Proportionality The Decision concerns an authorisation granted to a Member State upon its own request and does not constitute any obligation. Given the limited scope of the derogation, the special measure is proportionate to the aim pursued, i.e. to simplify the tax collection for small taxable persons and for the tax administration.
• Choice of the instrument The instrument proposed is a Council Implementing Decision. Under Article 395 of the VAT Directive, a derogation from the common VAT rules is only possible upon authorisation by the Council, which is acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission. A Council Implementing Decision is the most suitable instrument since it can be addressed to an individual Member State.
3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS • Stakeholder consultations No stakeholder consultation has been conducted. The present proposal is based on a request made by Belgium and concerns only this particular Member State.
• Impact assessment The proposal for a Council Implementing Decision aims at continuing for another three years a simplification measure which removes many of the VAT obligations for businesses operating with an annual turnover no higher than EUR 25 000 and therefore has a positive impact on the reduction of administrative burden for businesses and tax administration without a major impact on the total VAT revenue. Because of the narrow scope of the derogation and its limited application in time, the impact of the measure will in any case be limited. The derogating measure will be optional for taxable persons. Taxable persons will be able to opt for the regular VAT arrangements in accordance with Article 290 of Directive 2006/112/EC.
• Fundamental rights The proposal does not have any consequences for the protection of fundamental rights.
4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS Following entering into force of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2021/769 of 30 April 2021 amending Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 1553/89 on the definitive uniform arrangements for the collection of own resource s accruing from value added tax 21 , there will be no compensation calculation carried out by Belgium as of VAT own resource statement for the financial year 2021 onwards.
2021/0369 (NLE) Proposal for a COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION amending Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU as regards authorisation to the Kingdom of Belgium to apply for a further period the special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax 22 , and in particular Article 395(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Whereas: (1) By Council Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU 23 the Kingdom of Belgium was authorised to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC to exempt from value added tax ( VAT ) taxable persons whose annual turnover is no higher than EUR 25 000 until 31 December 2015 (‘the special measure’) . That authorisation was extended initially by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2348 24 until 31 December 2018 and subsequently by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/2077 25 until 31 December 2021 . (2) By letter of 5 May 2021, Belgium submitted a request to the Commission for a n authorisation to continue to apply the special measure until 31 December 2024, the date by which Member States are to transpose Council Directive (EU) 2020/285 26 which lay s down simpler VAT rules for small enterprises. That Directive also allows Member States to exempt taxable persons whose Member State annual turnover does not e xceed a threshold of EUR 85 000 . (3) Pursuant to Article 395(2) , second subparagraph, of Directive 2006/112/EC, the Commission transmitted the request made by Belgium to the other Member States, by letter dated 29 June 2021. By letter date d 30 June 2021, the Commission notified Belgium that it had all the information necessary for the appraisal of the request. (4) The special measure is in line with Directive (EU) 2020/285, which seeks to reduce VAT compliance costs for small enterprises, distortions of competition at both national and Union level, and the negative impact of transition from exemption to taxation (the threshold effect). It also seeks to facilitate compliance by small enterprises as well as monitoring by tax authorities. The threshold of EUR 25 000 is consistent with Article 284 of Directive 2006/112/EC. (5) The special measure will remain optional for taxable persons . Taxable persons may still opt for the normal VAT arrangements pursuant to Article 290 of Directive 2006/112/EC. (6) According to information provided by Belgium, the special measure wil l only have a negligible effect on the overall amount of the tax revenue Belgium collect s at the stage of final consumption. (7) Following the entry into force of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2021/769 27 , there will be no compensation calculation carried out by Belgium with regard to the VAT own resource statement for the financial year 2021 onwards.
(8) Given the positive impact of the special measure in reduc ing the administrative burden and compliance costs for both small enterprises and tax authorities, and the lack of any major impact on the total VAT revenue generated, Belgium should be authorised to apply the special measure for a further period . (9) The authorisation to apply the special measure should be limited in time. The time limit should be sufficient to allow the effectiveness and appropriateness of the threshold to be evaluated. Moreover, pursuant to Article 3(1) of Directive (EU) 2020/285, Member States are to adopt and publish, by 31 December 2024, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Article 1 of that Directive, and apply those provisions from 1 January 2025. It is therefore appropriate to authorise Belgium to apply the special measure until 31 December 2024 . (10) Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU should therefore be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Article 2 of Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU is replaced by the following: ‘ Article 2 This Decision shall apply from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2024.’ Article 2 This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Belgium. Done at Brussels, For the Council The President
(1) OJ 71, 14.4.1967, p. 1303/67.
(2) Council Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU of 22 January 2013 authorising the Kingdom of Belgium to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax, OJ L 22, 25.1.2013, p. 13.
(3) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2348 of 10 December 2015 amending Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU authorising the Kingdom of Belgium to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directiv e 2006/112/EC on the common sys tem of value added tax, OJ L 330, 16.12.2015, p. 51.
(4) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018 / 2077 of 20 December 2018 amending Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU authorising the Kingdom of Belgium to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directiv e 2006/112/EC on the common sys tem of value added tax, OJ L 331, 28.12.2018 , p. 222.
(5) Council Directive (EU) 2020/285 of 18 February 2020 amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax as regards the special scheme for small enterprises and Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 as regards the administrative cooperation and exchange of information for the purpose of monitoring the correct application of the special scheme for small enterprises (OJ L 62, 2.3.2020, p. 13).
(6) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee on an action plan on VAT – Towards a single EU VAT area – Time to decide COM(2016)148 final.
(7) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1904 of 4 December 2018 authorising the Netherlands to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 310, 6.12.2018, p. 25).
(8) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/1988 of 8 November 2016 amending Implementing Decision 2013/678/EU authorising the Italian Republic to continue to apply a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 306, 15.11.2016, p. 11).
(9) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2210 of 19 December 2019 amending Implementing Decision 2013/677/EU authorising Luxembourg to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 332, 23.12.2019, p. 155).
(10) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1919 of 4 December 2018 amending Decision 2009/790/EC authorising the Republic of Poland to apply a measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 311, 7.12.2018, p. 32).
(11) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1261 of 4 September 2020 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2408 authorising the Republic of Latvia to apply a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 296, 10.9.2020, p. 4).
(12) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/358 of 22 February 2021 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/563 authorising the Republic of Estonia to apply a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 69, 26.2.2021, p. 4).
(13) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1490 of 2 October 2018 authorising Hungary to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 252, 8.10.2018, p. 38).
(14) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/86 of 22 January 2021 authorising the Republic of Lithuania to apply a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 30, 28.1.2021, p. 2).
(15) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1661 of 3 November 2020 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1768 authorising the Republic of Croatia to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 374, 10.11.2020, p. 4).
(16) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/753 of 6 May 2021 authorising Malta to apply a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax, and repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/279 (OJ L 163, 10.5.2021, p. 1).
(17) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1700 of 6 November 2018 amending Implementing Decision 2013/54/EU authorising the Republic of Slovenia to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 285, 13.11.2018, p. 78).
(18) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1260 of 4 September 2020 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1855 authorising Romania to apply a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 296, 10.9.2020, p. 1).
(19) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – An SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe (COM(2020) 103 final).
(20) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – An Action Plan for fair and simple taxation supporting the Recovery Strategy (COM(2020) 312 final).
(21) Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2021/769 of 30 April 2021 amending Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 1553/89 on the definitive uniform arrangements for the collection of own resources accruing from value added tax (OJ L 165, 11.5.2021, p. 9).
(22) OJ L 347 , 11.12.2006, p. 1 .
(23) Council Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU of 22 January 2013 authorising the Kingdom of Belgium to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax ( OJ L 22, 25.1.2013, p. 13 ) .
(24) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2348 of 10 December 2015 amending Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU authorising the Kingdom of Belgium to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directiv e 2006/112/EC on the common sys tem of value added tax ( OJ L 330, 16.12.2015, p. 51 ) .
(25) Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018 / 2077 of 20 December 2018 amending Implementing Decision 2013/53/EU authorising the Kingdom of Belgium to introduce a special measure derogating from Article 285 of Directiv e 2006/112/EC on the common sys tem of value added ta x ( OJ L 331, 28.12.2018, p. 222 ) .
(26) Council Directive (EU) 2020/285 of 18 February 2020 amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax as regards the special scheme for small enterprises and Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 as regards the administrative cooperation and exchange of information for the purpose of monitoring the correct application of the special scheme for small enterprises (OJ L 62, 2.3.2020, p. 13).
(27) Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2021/769 of 30 April 2021 amending Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 1553/89 on the definitive uniform arrangements for the collection of own resources accruing from value added tax (OJ L 165, 11.5.2021, p. 9).