VAT/ GST in a Global Digital Economy

Indirect taxation is increasing in prominence worldwide. In times of international company tax competition, such forms of indirect taxation as value added tax (VAT) and goods and services taxes (GST) are particularly advantageous as sources of tax revenue on account of their broad base and non-distortion of competition in the chain of companies. In addition, the far-reaching changes in tax regimes wrought by these shifts are happening in direct parallel with the equally transformative digitalization of the economy, creating unprecedented difficulties for tax authorities worldwide and also for lawyers who must combine knowledge of the intricacies of indirect taxation with ever-changing digital ways of conducting business.

In frame of a research project conducted and built on the presentations by renowned experts at a conference organized by the Institute for Austrian and International Tax Law in cooperation with PWC and Lawsquare in 2014, this book sheds clear light on the problems and opportunities of VAT/GST regimes in relation to the digital economy. Among the topics and issues covered are the following: ;

• VAT collection and compliance in the digital economy;

• VAT issues for intermediated delivery and third-party billing;

• treatment of digital products and e-services under VAT;

• characterization of “cryptocurrencies” for VAT/GST purposes;

• dispute resolution and prevention; and

• administrative cooperation.

Combining research on experience gained so far with steps towards a framework that will increase the effectiveness of VAT/GST regimes in relation to the digital economy, this essential volume on a major and growing trend in tax regimes everywhere is sure to be of exceptional value to tax authorities and practitioners as well as corporate counsel.