New preliminary ruling question about the ‘fixed establishment’ concept for VAT purposes
On December 20, 2019 the Austrian Bundesfinanzgericht asked the Court of Justice of the European Union for a preliminary ruling on the concept of a ‘fixed establishment’ in the Titanium Ltd case (C-931/19). The case is not only relevant for property letting companies, but potentially also for all VAT taxable persons with foreign activities, as it may provide a more detailed interpretation of the EU concept of fixed establishment.
Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting signed by the Netherlands and other countries
On June 7, 2017, the Dutch Minister of Finance Dijsselbloem and other high-level representatives of 67 countries representing 68 jurisdictions signed the Multilateral Convention (“Multilateral Instrument” or “MLI”) to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and improve dispute resolution mechanisms.
Dutch Lower House of Parliament passes Bill on ratification of the MLI
On February 12, 2019 the Dutch Lower House of Parliament passed the Bill for the ratification of the Multilateral Convention (“MLI”) to Implement Tax Treaty-Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and improve dispute resolution mechanisms. Noteworthy is that the Lower House also agreed to change the MLI position of the Netherlands with respect to preventing the artificial avoidance of permanent establishment status.