VAT & indirect tax

Governments worldwide have shifted taxation to VAT and other indirect taxes over recent years to stabilise their tax base.

Not at least due to the increasing attention paid by the tax authorities at national and international level, VAT and indirect taxes have gained in importance for internationally operating companies in particular. Increasing complexity, caused mainly by a constant change in jurisdiction and legislation, as well as a partial lack of harmonisation across EU member states, not only make it more difficult to assess any special issues correctly for the purposes of indirect taxes, but also to fulfil the worldwide VAT and indirect tax obligations in the day-to-day business.

With companies facing high penalties (including personal fines for the management of companies) for non-compliance, VAT and indirect taxes have risen up the corporate agenda.

Our approach  

VAT and indirect taxes are transaction driven, complex, and can have a major impact on your bottom line. At Forvis Mazars, we can help with VAT and indirect taxation across the whole business lifecycle, from when your company is formed through to detailed structuring of transactions and assistance in terms of litigation. 

International cooperation is particularly important in the field of VAT and indirect taxes. Therefore, besides your regular partner responsible for the mandate, your allocated VAT and/or indirect tax expert is available to answer all your questions concerning VAT and indirect taxes and is available as sparring partner where needed. We have deep national and international expertise from a team of tax consultants, specialist lawyers for tax law as well as auditors and management consultants. 

Our global indirect tax team comprises a worldwide network of specialists who advise companies exclusively in the field of indirect taxes, e.g. VAT and customs, foreign trade law and excise duties. Due to our presence in almost all European countries and worldwide in all major economic centres, we solve your VAT and indirect challenges and help you to fulfil your respective obligations - wherever you are. 

While customs law is European law, harmonised by the EU Customs Code, VAT and other indirect taxes are affected by court rulings and changes in legislation of both, national and international significance. This makes it even more important to have an internationally positioned team of experts at your side to keep you constantly up to date of any changes.  

Our services

• Full-service advisory on customs and VAT, including risk management and litigation support
• VAT/customs audit assistance and compliance impact analysis on supply chains
• Advising on VAT issues during M&A and conducting 'VAT group cross-check' analysis
• VAT risk management concepts, including Brexit-related advisory
• Representation in appeal proceedings and VAT compliance outsourcing
• Customized staff training for various functional areas and VAT reviews
• Assistance with export control compliance and applications for BTI and AEO

Our tools & solutions

• VAT comparison tool: Our VAT comparison tool offers our clients the opportunity to gain information of country specific VAT jurisdictions. This enables businesses to get an initial idea of the VAT  
• VAT-ID verifier tool: A fully integrated software solution. We offer you a solution whichever you need: Quickly and personally via our Managed Service, simply and permanently online via our self-service or seamlessly automated through ERP integration. We will help you to find the best solution for you
• Signals/InControl: Our VAT and indirect tax team uses a range of globally accessible tools - our communication platform Signals and the dashboard InControl
• Customised IT tool development: We appreciate on-going and close contact with our clients. In terms of IT tools and solutions, we focus on developing products on market demand, preferably together with our clients