10 Amendments of Zigmantas BALČYTIS related to 2011/2082(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission’s aim to achieve a comprehensive VAT system that remedies the deficiencies of the current system in terms of protection against fraud, is solid enough to resist attacks of fraud, of which the estimated annual cost for the EU27 is around 80 to 100 billion euro, and helps to make EU firms more competitive and transparent;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need to improve cross- border prosecution of intra-Community VAT fraud in the Member States as well as to increase accountability and risk awareness in this area;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the current VAT system in the EU, which has been in place for 17 years, has been described as provisional with an expectation to move to a new system in due course; whereas the new initiative of the Commission’s Green Paper is only the beginning of a procedure which is likely to be long, difficult and complex, and whose success will depend on real determination by Member States to develop a system that is ‘simpler, more robust and efficient’ system, less bureaucratic, more transparent, less open to fraud and more beneficial to EU citizens, businesses and Member States,
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that accurate estimates of the extent of VAT-carousel fraud are unavailable; urges the development of an accurate valuation tool for VAT fraud which would also enable relevant comparisons in this area between the EU Member States;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of more intensive and rapid cooperation between Member States, more direct contacts between local tax offices, and better monitoring of exchanges of information, ensuring that Member States provide efficient assistance to each other; urges to enhance cooperation between the judicial authorities of the Member States, Eurojust, Europol and OLAF;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports, however, a lower or zero rate for public transport for public-interest, social and environmental reasons; calls consequently for an increase in investment aimed at enhancing the quality and attractiveness of public transport services, fleet renewal, reducing pollution and increasing the safety of passengers and other users;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. UStresses that through the increased use of new technologies and innovative solutions the opportunities for VAT fraud can be significantly reduced; urges the Commission to further strengthen the Value Added Information Exchange System (VIES) by shortening the timescale for collecting and capturing data and by granting broader direct access to data;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Urges the Commission to consider legislative proposals that would tackle VAT carousels at root level by introducing an EU wide mechanism of reverse charge of VAT, which, besides being an effective anti-fraud measure, would also mean an administrative simplification for producers and traders; therefore calls on the Commission to come forth with legislative proposals to establish a mechanism of reverse charge for the 6 most sensitive sectors, audio and video equipment, food and beverage, computer hardware and microprocessors, and accessories, mobile telephones and accessories, textiles and automobiles; urges to effectively tackle VAT fraud within the EU Emission Trading System.
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that, as a result of the complexity of rules and administrative constraints, businesses often see the current VAT system as an obstacle to the completion of the internal market; notes that the current VAT arrangements for intra-EU trade tend to reflect negatively on SMEs and observes that it is necessary to take effective measures to reduce the administrative burden imposed on undertakings by VAT.
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Agrees with the Commission that the efficiency of VAT collection needs to be improved in order to reduce the VAT gap and limit the possibility of fraud, as well as to protect bona fide traders against VAT fraud; stresses that combating tax fraud in the European Union is a priority, and calls for closer cooperation between the Member States, Europol, Eurojust and OLAF in this area;