Common system of value added tax (VAT): duration of the obligation to respect a minimum standard rate

The European Parliament adopted by 568 votes to 85, with 59 abstentions, in the framework of a special legislative procedure (Parliament’s consultation), a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax, with regard to the duration of the obligation to respect a minimum standard rate.

Parliament approved the Commission’s proposal to retroactively maintain the principle of a minimum standard VAT rate of 15 %. It proposed however that the current arrangements of the VAT Directive be extended for three years until 31 December 2018 (instead of 31 December 2017 as proposed by the Commission).