VAT on Services
The position in respect of VAT on services is complicated and depends on the particular service involved. The position is dealt with in detail in other sections of this website.
The UK proposes to adopt an identical system of VAT to the present the European Union system upon Brexit. It has already passed the necessary laws. The laws made a diverge in the future.
he UK government indicates in its No Deal Notes that particular arrangements may be required respect of transactions and imports between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
General
For immediate practical purposes, what is set out below in relation to the position between an EU State and the UK under EU VAT law is likely to apply in the exactly corresponding way under UK VAT law where the transaction is reversed.
VAT on services applies generally where a VAT registered provider (or a provider who should be VAT registered because it exceeds the relevant annual turnover thresholds supplies a service.VAT may also apply in another country where the services are provided there. In some cases the home country (Irish) supplier may need to register for VAT in the country of supply.
The rules are different depending on whether the supply of the service is made to a business or a non-business/consumer and whether it is made to a business or non-business consumer based or established inside the EU or to one based or established outside European Union.
Supplies within EU
At present whereas services supplied by a service provider in an EU state to a business established in another EU state (the UK at present but not after Brexit) there is no VAT chargeable in the former state. The business recipient of the service must effectively charge itself VAT and account for VAT to its revenue authority. If that business can reclaim VAT on its purchases, the process may involve a simultaneous charge by the recipient and an offsetting credit for the input into the business.
There is no registration threshold for received services. If a business receives services from abroad for business purposes (both from the European Union (EU) and outside the EU), it may have to register and account for the Value-Added Tax (VAT) in the State. In these circumstances, you are regarded as the supplier of the services for VAT purposes.
At present where a service provider provide services to a non-business/consumer in another EU state VAT is generally charged in the supplier’s state. No VAT is charged in the other EU state. In some cases, the home state provider may have to register and account for VAT in that State.
Equally the Irish consumer/non-business recipient of the service generally pays VAT in the EU state in which the service provider is established. Once again the provider in the other EU state may be obliged to register an account for VAT in the state is supplied in respect of certain types of services.
In each of the above circumstances the position applies in reverse. Where a service is provided by an EU supplier to a business in another EU state VAT arises in the latter state. The recipient trader itself accounts for VAT and they used to claim it as a credit. There is no VAT in the state where the supplier is established.
Post Brexit B2B
After Brexit,UK will be treated as a third country for EU VAT purposes so the following treatment which applies to non-EU supplies of services either inwards or outwards will apply. Equally the UK VAT rules will be the same in each particular case as those applicable to a transaction with a non-EU (now non-UK) supplier, customer or consumer. EU states will be a foreign country for UK VAT purposes.
After Brexit the general position will be that where an EU business provide services to a business customer in the United Kingdom, VAT will not be chargeable in the supplier’s state.Under the corresponding VAT legislation in United Kingdom VAT may be chargeable in the United Kingdom to the business recipient in most such circumstances.
This would be similar in substance for many purposes to the present position.Irish service providers at present obtain the VAT registration number of the business recipient in the other EU state. After Brexit of other evidence of the presence and business status in th UK will be required. This may initially be the UK VAT number.
Equally in the case of a supply by a UK supplier to a business in another EU state, the general position is that VAT will be charged in the latter state and must be accounted for by the business customer / recipient of the service. Once again, there is no registration threshold for received services
Post Brexit B2C
After Brexit the general position will be that where an EU business provides services to a private person/consumer in United Kingdom, VAT may or may not be chargable in the EU state (or the UK) depending on the nature of the service.
In the case the supply of services by a UK (Non-EU) supplier to an EU non-business customer/consumer VAT is not generally chargeable in the reipient’s state. There are exceptions.
There are specific rules for certain types of goods and services which change the above treatment. Broadly speaking where services have a significant connection with or are used and enjoyed in the state of receipt, VAT may be chargeable there.Their application will differ in some cases before and after Brexit in relation to supplies by Irish traders to UK businesses and consumers and supplies by UK traders to Irish businesses and consumers. They are dealt with in detail in other sections.
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