VAT Recovery - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS!



Why Freightlink V.A.T. / T.I.P.P recovery?

When managing the finances of any company, efficient and accurate accounting results in a leaner more competitive business. The VAT & TIPP recovery process is time consuming and complex, requiring a multi-lingual focused team, dedicated to getting the job done.

Our team has over 10 years of experience dealing with the various treasury and ministry agencies throughout Europe. It is this knowledge that enables us to provide the most cost effective, robust service available online 24/7.

What we will do for you:-

  • Quarterly reminders.
  • Postage paid envelopes for receipts.
  • Periodic statements.
  • Claims registered online at www.freightlink.co.uk
  • Claims paid directly to you.
  • Dedicated help line.
  • Total transparency.

What is Value Added Tax (VAT)?

VAT is a tax added onto the supply of services and goods at a rate set by the government. The level of VAT can vary between 5–25% depending on which country the services and goods were supplied.

If a business is VAT registered, in the majority of cases:-

  • VAT is added into the services and goods supplied.
  • VAT can be reclaimed when purchasing goods and services.

If a business is not VAT registered, you are not allowed to reclaim and VAT incurred when purchasing goods and services.

If you're a VAT-registered business, in most cases you:

  • Charge VAT on the goods and services you provide.
  • Reclaim the VAT you pay when you buy goods and services for your business.

If you are not a VAT-registered business or organisation, then you can't reclaim the VAT you pay when you purchase goods and services.

Why can a business reclaim VAT?

Businesses have been able to claim VAT back from other EU states since the 8th Directive from 1977. This was updated 01st January 2007 as the 2006/11/EC directive, to encourage free trade amongst EU member states. There are a number of key non-EU countries, including Canada, US, Japan, and South Korea, who also refund VAT thanks to reciprocity agreements.

When can my business claim VAT?

If your turnover of goods and services supplied within the UK for the previous 12 months is more than £70,000 (2010 threshold), you should register for VAT qualification. If you have traded with other EU countries and received goods with a total value greater than £70,000 (2010 threshold), you are expected to register for VAT.

What is T.I.P.P?

TIPP or Gasoleo Profesional is a little known tax of up to 3% added onto the price of fuel in France, Belgium and Spain. None of these countries make it widely known that this tax can be reclaimed.
The amount refundable is set by each member state, and can differ depending on which region the fuel was purchased.
The recovery process is more complex than VAT reclamation, but if you have not made a claim, Freightlink TIPP recovery can go back 3 years!

Are you eligible for T.I.P.P. recovery?

There are 2 simple requirements:-

  • The fuel claim is for vehicles which weigh over 7.5 tons.
  • You have a U.K. bank account where the funds can be transferred directly form the corresponding treasury.

How much V.A.T. can I claim back?

This all depends on the service or goods purchased, and in which country. The amount of VAT applied to these services or goods varies from country to country, but generally, 100% of VAT can be reclaimed for eligible business expenses.

Only in some countries, on certain expenses VAT recovery restricted to a partial percentage. For example; Denmark allows only 25% of business expenses such as accommodation and restaurants. However in Austria, this amount increases to 50%.

  % VAT VAT Name Min. reclaim amounts Annual Interim Payment periods - months
Austria 20% UST/MWST €50 €400 8-12
Belgium 21% BTW €50 €400 3-5
Bulgaria 20% DDS 100 лв 800 лв 6-12
Czech rep 19% DPH 1.315 Kč 10.52 Kč 6-12
Denmark 25% MOMS kr 375 kr 3,000 4-6
Estonia 18% KM 782 kr 6,258 kr 6-12
Finnland 22% ALV €50 €400 6
France 19.6% TVA €50 €400 2-4
Germany 19% UST/MWST €50 €400 8-12
Greece 19% FPA €50 €400 6-18
Holland 19% BTW €50 €400 6
Hungary 20% AFA 6 Ft 50 Ft 6-12
Ireland 21.5% VAT €50 €400 2-6
Italy 20% IVA €50 €400 6-12
Latvia 18% PVN Ls 36 Ls 282 6-12
Lithuania 18% PVM 170 Lt 1,380 Lt 6-12
Luxembourg 15% YVA €50 €400 4-8
Norway 25% MVA €50 €400 4-6
Poland 22% VAT €50 €400 12-24
Portugal 21% IVA €50 €400 12-18
Rumania 19% TVA 121 lei 1,692 lei 12
Slovakia 19% DPH €50 €400 6-12
Slovenia 20% DDV €50 €400 6-12
Spain 16% IVA €50 €400 6
Sweden 25% MOMS €50 €400 3-6
UK 17.5% VAT £35 £295 4-6

What is the criteria for a V.A.T. claim?

Each member state has specific criteria which must be achieved in order to qualify for a successful claim.
All claims submitted to support your VAT refund claim must be:-

  • The original which includes Need to include the following information:
    • Date of issue;
    • Invoice number;
    • Supplier's VAT number;
    • Supplier's full name and address;
    • Customer's full name and address;
    • Unit price and description of the goods supplied or services rendered;
    • The date of the supply and payment (if different from the date of supply),
    • VAT rate applied,
    • VAT amount payable.

Once a claim has successfully being satisfied, al your original receipts will be returned.

How long does a V.A.T claim take?

The time taken to make a VAT refund does vary from state to state. However, there is legislation in place which states the VAT fund must be made within a 6 month period of incurring the expense. Some VAT refunds can be claimed and refunded in as little as 6 weeks.

Are there any deadlines?

All claims must be submitted by 30th June for the previous years trading. However, we will assist you with this by issuing you with quarterly reminders, along with providing you with postage paid enveloped to submit your claims to our team of experts.

T.I.P.P claims can be back dated to a maximum of 3 years.

How will the V.A.T or T.I.P.P refund be made?

This will be issued by bank transfer or cheque directly from Freightlink Vat recovery service.

Is there a minimum I can claim?

Each member state has a minimum it will allow to be reclaimed. As a general rule, this is circa €50.00 per claim. If you find you VAT claim is under this threshold, as long as the claim is made within the EU deadlines, we will hold onto your claim until such time it breaches the minimum amount.

How can I monitor my claim?

As soon as we have received your VAT / TIPP claim, we will register these online. You can then view the claims process at www.freightlink.co.uk > My account > VAT. Here will see all the claims you have made, along with pending and successful refunds. (check links correct)

What does Freightlink VAT & T.I.P.P recovery service cost?

There are no subscriptions, monthly or annual charges. We will take our commission only when the funds have being recovered in full. A quote will be provided to you based upon the specific requirements of your business.