Value Added Tax - Advanced Course

The Advanced VAT course is a 3 session course targeted towards those who already have a basic knowledge of VAT (either through experience or through having attended the Basic VAT course) and want a more in-depth understanding of some of the most applicable and important VAT provisions. Throughout the course specific VAT topics (see Agenda below) will be discussed in a detailed manner (including how the VAT treatment has changed and developed in view of new VAT Department guidelines, EU Regulations and Case Law) for the attendees to be able to build a more extensive knowledge of VAT and hence be in a better position to apply the correct VAT treatment to more complex transactions. Participation and Feedback would be encouraged together with using practical and worked examples to make the sessions much more interesting, useful and relevant for all attendees.

The scope of the course is to look at the interpretation of these provisions of general importance both from a domestic perspective (i.e. the interpretation given by the local VAT authorities) and an international perspective (the relevant principles and decisions established by the CJEU – Court of Justice of the European Union and the various Council Implementing Regulations) in such a way to help the attendees arrive at the correct VAT treatment when dealing with such complex transactions (including being aware of which factors will shape and effect the respective VAT treatment).

Topics on the agenda

Session 1 – VAT Place of Supply rules (including the concepts of taxable and non-taxable persons, place of establishment/fixed establishment, and the applicability of certain exceptions to the general rules)

Session 2 – VAT Exemptions (including the application certain VAT Exemptions of particular importance such as Insurance and Financial Services, Shipping and Aviation, Immovable Property and Gambling and related services)

Session 3 – VAT treatment of complex transactions (including triangulation, call off stock and other complex chain transactions and how these are to declared, cross border trade in services and right of refund and partial attribution in case of mixed activities and the Capital Goods Scheme)

The Speaker

Saviour Bezzina is the manager responsible for indirect tax matters at the EY Malta office and forms part of EY’s Global Indirect Tax Network as a local knowledge contact. He joined EY in July 2006 after obtaining the Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons.) from the University of Malta. He is a member of the Malta Institute of Accountants, holds a Diploma in VAT compliance and lectures regularly on VAT and indirect tax matters. Saviour was awarded the 2007 MIA prize as the best student who graduated in the Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) Degree Course Group 2004/2006.