Sant jisħaq fuq l-importanza li nkomplu nippromwovu l-ekwità permezz ta’ rati mnaqqsa tal-VAT

L-Ewroparlamentari Laburista Alfred Sant ivvota favur rapport dwar l-implimentazzjoni tas-Sitt Direttiva tal-VAT. Adottata fl-1977, is-Sitt Direttiva tal-VAT hija parti ċentrali fis-sistema Ewropea tal-VAT għaliex tinkludi d-definizzjoni bażika tal-bażi tat-taxxa.

Huwa saħaq fuq l-importanza li titkompla l-promozzjoni tal-ekwità permezz ta’ rati mnaqqsa tal-VAT biex jiġu appoġġjati familji bi dħul aktar baxx u appella għal sistema uniformi tal-VAT li tnaqqas l-ispejjeż tal-konformità tan-negozji żgħar u medji meta jbigħu l-oġġetti fi ħdan il-fruntieri Ewropej.

Alfred Sant kien in-negozjatur f’isem is-Soċjalisti u Demokratiċi fil-Parlament Ewropew fi Strasburgu dwar rapport dwar l-implimentazzjoni tas-Sitt Direttiva tal-Vat. Ir-rapport iffoka prinċipalment fuq ir-rati tal-VAT, il-bażijiet tat-taxxa u l-lakuni fil-VAT fl-Istati Membri tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Id-differenza fil-VAT hija d-differenza bejn l-ammont ta’ dħul mistenni mill-VAT u l-VAT attwali miġbur.

Alfred Sant qal li d-distakk fil-VAT jinqala’ minħabba li s-sistema tal-VAT li għadha tranżitorja mhix kapaċi tittratta l-frodi tat-taxxa u wissa li dan jirriżulta fi “Frodi – xi wħud sistematiċi, bħall-frodi tal-karusel transfruntier”.

“L-għan huwa hawnhekk affermat mill-ġdid għal sistema futura tal-VAT li tipprovdi ċarezza għan-negozji u li tkun tirreżisti l-frodi. Ġew identifikati soluzzjonijiet bħal skambju effiċjenti ta’ mekkaniżmi ta’ informazzjoni, mezzi adegwati għall-awtoritajiet nazzjonali, standards għoljin ta’ rappurtar tal-VAT”, saħaq Sant.

Sostna li għandha tingħata attenzjoni speċjali lin-negozji żgħar u medji li huma mgħobbija żżejjed bl-ispejjeż ta’ konformità meta jbigħu madwar l-Unjoni Ewropea u huwa ssuġġerixxa li sistema uniformi ta’ vat tista’ tneħħi dan. Barra minn hekk, Sant qal li d-diġitalizzazzjoni tista’ tgħin ukoll biex tnaqqas l-ispejjeż u jekk dan jimponi piż fi żmien qasir, in-negozji żgħar u medji għandhom ikunu appoġġjati finanzjarjament biex jakkwistaw l-aħħar teknoloġija u kompetenza. Il-MPE Laburista saħaq li l-Istati Membri għandhom ikomplu jimplimentaw rati mnaqqsa tal-VAT biex jappoġġjaw familji bi dħul aktar baxx u rrimarka li jekk tiġi introdott gradwalment il-VAT jista’ wkoll jippromwovi konsum li ma jagħmilx ħsara lill-ambjent.

Ir-rapport ġie adottat b’510 vot favur, 74 kontra u 108 astensjonijiet.

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Sant stresses the importance of continuing to promote equity through reduced VAT rates

Labour MEP Alfred Sant has voted in favour of a report on the implementation of the Sixth VAT Directive. Adopted in 1977, the Sixth VAT Directive is the central piece in the European VAT system because it includes the basic definition of the tax base.

He stressed the importance of continuing to promote equity through reduced VAT rates to support lower-income households and called for a uniform VAT system that would reduce SMEs compliance costs when selling goods within European borders.

Alfred Sant was the negotiator on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on a report on the implementation of the Sixth Vat Directive. The report focused mainly on vat rates, tax bases and VAT gaps in European Union Member States. The VAT gap is the difference between the amount of expected VAT revenue and the actual VAT collected.

Alfred Sant said that the VAT gap arises because the still transitional VAT system is not capable of dealing with tax fraud and warned that this results in “Frauds – some systematic, like the cross-border carousel fraud”.

“The objective is here reaffirmed for a future VAT system that provides clarity for businesses and is fraud-proof. Solutions like efficient exchange of information mechanisms, adequate means for national authorities, high standards of VAT reporting are identified”, Sant stressed.

He stated that special attention should be paid to SMEs who are overburdened with compliance costs when selling across the European Union and suggested that a uniform vat system could iron this out. Furthermore, Sant said that the digitalisation can help as well cut costs and should this impose a burden in the short term, SMEs should be financially supported in acquiring the latest technology and expertise. The Labour MEP emphasised that Member States should continue to implement reduced VAT rates to support lower-income households and pointed out that if introduced gradually VAT can also promote environmentally friendly consumption.

The report was adopted with 510 votes in favour, 74 against and 108 abstentions.