Companies able to join VAT groups in the Netherlands may be able to enjoy better recovery position.
VAT groups enable related businesses to combine Dutch VAT inputs and outputs under a single VAT reporting number. If the companies are trading together, this can reduce the amount of VAT cash flows as there are no VAT payments. It also enables related companies to recover otherwise irrecoverable VAT. This includes exempt or partially-exempt activities such as banking and educational services. VAT exempt holding companies are not entitled to enter into groups unless they actually own/control the other participants. Non-resident VAT registered companies may not into VAT groups unless they have a permanent establishment in the Netherlands.
You can check the right Dutch or any international VAT calculations on individual or batch transactions with our Advisor and Auditor services.
In the Netherlands, companies could only join together in VAT groups if they supplied each other more than 50% of goods or services and shared ownership, plus if they share the same customers. This latest court ruling, on 11 October 2013, has relaxed the second condition making it easier to create a VAT group.
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