Framework Agreements

Tax Refund – Maximise the cost-effectiveness of your meetings

Many commonly incurred European business costs such as hotel accommodation, meals, car rental, trade fairs, congresses and incentives are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) which can be as much as 25%, but in Germany the VAT (MWSt.) rate is 19%. Businesses are allowed to recover this VAT, even if they are not based in Europe.

VAT is a consumer tax imposed on goods and services by all member states of the European Union (EU). In 1980 the EU approved its 8th VAT Directive which allows a business that is VAT registered in one member state to recover the VAT included in the costs incurred in another member state, but subject to the regulations of eligibility in the member state in which the cost was incurred. In 1987 the 13th VAT Directive was passed extending this facility to businesses from countries outside of the European Union.

Each of the member states has established its own system and regulations for companies wishing to reclaim VAT under the guidelines of the two EU Directives and the length of time taken for the refund to be paid typically varies between six months and two years.

As a meeting planner you should consult a VAT reclaim service at the very beginning of your planning stages to ensure the cost-effectiveness of your event is maximised.

The GCB, in association with Meridian VAT Reclaim can help you to recover the VAT incurred on your European business activities with minimal stress and effort.

To find out more about how Meridian can help your company reclaim its VAT please contact Meridian VAT Reclaim on info@meridian-vat.co.uk or see Meridian's web-page on http://www.meridianvat.com/.