Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by ptero on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @08:32AM
(#13417324)
"Ideas are cheap, execution is what matters" is a standard startup advice. I think it is even more relevant to politics and in terms of execution the EU did not do too well. My 2c.
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by rusk on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @09:57AM
(#13418017)
I don't think it relates purely to the EU, but to politics in general. I'm all too often hearing quick-fix solutions mouthed by politicians when what's plain to the eye is a profoundly unsexy root-and-branch analysis is necessary.
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by charlesdm on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @08:30AM
(#13417305)
The problem is, you can't harmonise VAT without harmonising the tax bases. And if you don't harmonise the tax bases, companies will try to set up mechanisms to avoid tax.
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by BjoernKW on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @08:38AM
(#13417365)
The problem is not about the different VAT rates in different countries. The problem is the process for claiming VAT paid in another EU country. That process is so ridiculously complex that up to a certain amount even accountants have largely given up on it because it's not worth the bother.
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by blibble on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @08:44AM
(#13417409)
indeed, I simply stopped selling services to the rest of the EU as it was not worth the effort in dealing with the new EU VAT regime, even though my small operation is below the threshold for VAT registration in my home country
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by rwmj on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @09:06AM
(#13417578)
So is the solution: (a) Fix the VAT registration rules to make them simpler. (b) Leave the European Union.
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by blibble on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @09:09AM
(#13417606)
all I'm going to say is that bureaucracies rarely decrease in size
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by corney91 on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @10:14AM
(#13418166)
I'd hope it's easier to sell to other EU companies within the EU than trying to export into the EU from outside, despite the VAT regime, in which case the bureaucracy is a net positive in that regard.
Re:Theresa May: UK must leave European single market
by charlesdm on Tuesday January 17, 2017 @05:11PM
(#13421912)
Sometimes I honestly wonder: If I would set up a US subsidiary to sell digital services through, and not comply with EU VAT laws, would I get into trouble?
A stupid example: buying a .com domain (as an individual) through an EU registrar will set you back $10 + VAT. If I buy it from a US company, I pay $10. Why would I buy from an EU registrar?
A prime example of this is VAT regulations in the EU, which supposedly have been harmonised and simplified some time ago yet with every iteration, with every 'simplification' they just got worse, less harmonious and more unwieldy to handle for companies buying or selling goods or services in other EU countries.