VIES registration: mandatory or optional fulfilment?

The Italian Association of Chartered Accountants recently addressed issue of VIES registration requirements for domestic businesses for a correct performance of intra-EU transactions, coming to the conclusion that such fulfilment is relevant only from a formal point of view.

The Association highlighted the major difference existing between EU and domestic norms, the latter entailing particular disadvantages for taxpayers, whose failure to register with the VIES database would imply the termination of their status of economic operators, with subsequent effects also for the purpose of attributing VAT to the correct member State.

Furthermore, basing on an analysis of the EU regulations, the Association also expressed the opinion that the VIES registration, though having merely a formal nature, should apply only for the transfer of goods and nor for the provisions of services.

For any further information, please contact Mario Spera.