Combating VAT fraud

Key points:

The EESC

• notes that resistance to change is having detrimental effects on Member States' and the EU's finances. The main reason lies in an unprofessed desire to protect particular interests, which are taking precedence over the common good;
• feels that the effectiveness of the new rules is dependent on the adoption of the requisite IT systems across the board: it would therefore be prudent not to make the rules mandatory until 2015;
• does not feel that the rule which provides for participation of officials of other Member States concerned in enquiries, including in places other than the offices of the host Member State, is appropriate. There is an obvious need to protect confidential, sensitive information;
• unreservedly supports the initiative to create a common structure to combat VAT fraud (Eurofisc), that may be the most significant innovation;
• draws, at the same time, attention to a longstanding issue: the need to establish cooperation and liaison with other bodies engaged in the fight against organised crime and money laundering.