FINANCE ACT 2013
VALUE-ADDED TAX
NOTES FOR GUIDANCE
Issued by VAT Policy and Legislation Branch, 18 April 2013
67. Interpretation (Part 3)
This section defines the Principal Act as the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act,
2010 for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act. This is a conventional provision in
Finance Acts. It allows abbreviated terms to be used for references to previous
legislation and thus facilitates drafting and subsequent reading of the legislation. For
example, the term “Principal Act” used in Part 3 of this Act refers to the Value-
Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010.
68. Receivers and liquidators
Summary
This section amends sections 28, 65, 76 and 95 of the VAT Consolidation Act in
relation to receivers and liquidators.
For the avoidance of doubt, the amendments make specific provisions to clarify the
existing position whereby a receiver, liquidator or other person exercising a power,
who, in the course of carrying on or winding up a business, supplies taxable services
(e.g. operates a hotel or makes a taxable letting), is liable for the VAT on those
services/rents. The amendments provide that the accountable person is deemed to
have made the supplies but the receiver/liquidator is required to register, make the
return, and remit any tax due in relation to those supplies.
The amendments also oblige the receiver/liquidator to make the return and remit any
tax due in relation to:
(a) any deductibility adjustment necessary under the capital goods scheme and
(b) any deductibility adjustment necessary as a result of an exempt letting of a
transitional property
Details
Section 28
Section 28 deals with special rules in relation to supplies of services. Paragraph (a)
inserts two new subsections (4) and (5) into section 28.
Subsection (4) mirrors the legislation dealing with disposals of goods by
receivers/liquidators contained in section 22(3) of the VAT Consolation Act. It
provides that where a receiver/liquidator supplies a service/letting in the course of
carrying on the business of an accountable person, or in the course of winding up a
company, then the accountable person is deemed to have supplied the service/letting.
Subsection (5) deals with a situation where a receiver takes control of a property and
the receiver opts to tax a new letting of that property. Where the owner of the
property was not an accountable person (i.e. had been engaged in exempt letting) the
supply is deemed to be made by, and the option to tax deemed to have been exercised
by, the owner.
Section 65
Section 65 deals with registration requirements. Paragraphs (b) and (c) amend
subsections (1) and (4) to extend the existing registration obligations on
receivers/liquidators in relation to disposals of goods to also cover supplies of
services.
Section 76
Section 76 deals with returns and remittances. Paragraphs (d) to (h) amend
subsections (2) and (3) to specify the obligations of the receiver/liquidator to make
the return and remit the tax due in relation to:
the supply of services,
an adjustment required under the capital goods scheme (see also the
amendments to section 64 of the VAT Consolidation Act in section 71 of the
Finance Act), and
an adjustment required under the transitional rules for immovable goods
(see amendment to section 95 of the VAT Consolidation Act in this section
of the Finance Act).
Section 95
Section 95 deals with transitional measures for supplies of immovable goods.
Paragraph (i) inserts a new paragraph (c) into subsection (4) which provides that a
receiver/mortgagee is obliged to calculate the relevant deductibility adjustment and
pay any amount due, where the receiver was appointed or the mortgagee took
possession of a transitional property (i.e. a property acquired or developed pre-July
2008) in respect of which the owner had claimed deductibility and the
receiver/mortgagee subsequently made an exempt letting of the property.
Commencement
This section has effect from the date of passing of the Finance Act (27 March 2013).
69. Amendment of section 43 of the VAT Consolidation Act (vouchers, etc.)
Summary
This section amends section 43 of the VAT Consolidation Act, which deals with
vouchers, etc. The amendment limits the application of the existing rules for supplies
of vouchers to domestic sales only.
Details
The amendment to section 43(3) provides that the existing special rule for vouchers
being supplied to businesses for re-sale is confined to supplies of vouchers to
businesses that are established in the State. This means that a voucher with a
redeemable value, which is sold to a business outside the State for onward supply, is
not taxable on the sale but rather the tax arises at the point of redemption of the
voucher, resulting in tax being accounted for when redemption of the voucher takes
place.
Paragraph (a) provides that the special rules governing vouchers, which are supplied
for onward sale, are only applied in the case of accountable persons, being persons
who are established in the State.
Paragraph (b) provides that where the voucher is supplied onwards by an
accountable person, that person is obliged to account for VAT on the consideration
received in respect of the supply of the voucher.
Commencement
This section has effect from the date of passing of the Finance Act (27 March 2013).
70. Amendment of section 59 of the VAT Consolidation Act (deduction for
tax borne or paid)
Summary
This section amends section 59 of the VAT Consolidation Act, which deals with
deduction for tax borne or paid. The first amendment clarifies the definition of
qualifying activities and the second amendment provides for deductibility relating to
certain property transactions.
Details
Paragraph (a) amends subsection (1)(d) to clarify the definition of “qualifying
activities”. The amendment brings Irish legislation into line with the relevant
provision of the EU VAT Directive.
Paragraph (b) amends section 59(2). The amendment provides that when an
immovable good is sold by a receiver or liquidator and where a joint option to tax the
sale is exercised, thereby making the purchaser accountable for VAT on the supply of
immovable goods on a reverse charge basis, the purchaser is entitled to deduct the
VAT incurred (subject to the normal deductibility rules).
Commencement
This section has effect from the date of passing of the Finance Act (27 March 2013).
71. Amendment of section 64 of the VAT Consolidation Act (capital goods
scheme)
Summary
This section amends section 64 of the VAT Consolidation Act, which deals with the
capital goods scheme.
The amendments to subsection (9) clarify the conditions in an existing provision
which allows for relief from a claw-back which can arise on the seller of a capital
good in certain circumstances.
A new subsection (12A) provides that where a receiver is appointed or a mortgagee
takes possession of a capital good, the receiver or mortgagee is accountable for the
obligations of the defaulter under the capital goods scheme for the duration of the
receivership or possession.
Details
The capital goods scheme (CGS) is a mechanism for regulating deductibility over the
VAT-life of a property. The scheme operates by ensuring that deductibility for a
property reflects the use to which the property is put over its VAT-life. It is provided
for in sections 63 and 64 of the VAT Consolidation Act 2010. The obligations of the
capital good owner are outlined in section 64 and include creating and maintaining a
CGS record, calculating (in accordance with various formulae) any deductibility
adjustment required and payment of any amount due as if it were tax due. Section 64
also provides an entitlement to an increase in deductibility where relevant.
Subsection (9)
Paragraphs (a) and (b) amend subsection (9) to clarify the existing provisions
whereby the seller of a capital good may be relieved of a claw-back, provided for in
subsection (8), where VAT on the sale to a connected person is less than the VAT on
the purchase.
The amendments clarify the conditions so that the purchaser steps into the shoes of
the seller for the purposes of the capital goods scheme, accepting responsibility for
any obligations of the seller under the scheme not already fulfilled, and specify that
the connected sale is disregarded for the purposes of the Act thereby ensuring that no
new CGS life begins at the time of that sale.
New Subsection (12A)
Paragraph (c) inserts a new subsection (12A) which makes the following provisions:
paragraph (a) contains definitions;
paragraphs (b) and (c) provide that where a receiver is appointed or a
mortgagee takes possession of a capital good, the obligations of the capital
good owner are transferred to the receiver or mortgagee for the duration of
the receivership or possession. These obligations include maintaining the
capital good record, calculating any adjustment in deductibility as a result
of a change of use of the capital good and remitting any tax due as a result
of that adjustment. Where an adjustment under the capital goods scheme
results in an increase in deductibility, the receiver or mortgagee will get the
benefit of that increase;
paragraphs (d) and (e) provide that where the receivership or possession
ends without disposal of the capital good (i.e. it reverts back to the owner),
the obligations under the capital goods scheme revert back to the owner;
paragraph (f) provides for apportionment of liability arising from a capital
goods scheme adjustment where the receivership or possession commences
or ends (or both) during a capital goods scheme interval;
paragraph (g) provides for apportionment of an entitlement to an increase in
deductibility as a result of a capital goods scheme adjustment where the
receivership or possession commences or ends (or both) during a capital
goods scheme interval;
paragraph (h) provides that where the obligations of the capital good owner
are transferred to a receiver or mortgagee those obligations shall also
transfer to any subsequent receiver appointed or mortgagee who takes
possession of the good.
Commencement.
This section has effect from the date of passing of the Finance Act (27 March 2013).
72. Amendment of section 80 of the VAT Consolidation Act (tax due on
moneys received basis)
Summary
This section amends section 80 of the VAT Consolidation Act, which deals with tax
due on moneys received basis. It confirms the Budget increase in the annual turnover
threshold for taxable persons using the moneys received basis of accounting from
€1,000,000 to €1,250,000.
Details
Section 80(1)(b) allows a taxable person with a turnover of not more than €1,000,000
in any continuous period of twelve months to use the moneys received basis of
accounting for VAT. The amendment increases that turnover figure to €1,250,000.
VAT registered traders whose annual turnover does not exceed or is not likely to
exceed €1,250,000 million may opt to account for VAT on the moneys received basis
rather than on the invoice basis. This means that the trader is not required to pay
VAT until payment for the supply is actually received.
Commencement
This section has effect from 1 May 2013.
73. Amendment of section 86 of the VAT Consolidation Act (special
provisions for tax invoiced by flat-rate farmers)
Summary
This section amends section 86 of the VAT Consolidation Act, which provides for
special provisions for tax invoiced by flat-rate farmers. It confirms the Budget
decrease in the farmers’ flat-rate addition from 5.2 per cent to 4.8 per cent.
Details
The flat-rate scheme is a simplified and practical method of applying value-added tax
to farming. It compensates unregistered farmers, on an overall basis, for the VAT
charged to them on their purchases of goods and services. The scheme in general
reduces administrative burdens, as it provides that small farmers can remain outside
the normal VAT system thereby avoiding the obligations in respect of registration,
record keeping and returns.
How does the Farmers Flat-rate Scheme work?
The flat-rate scheme sets out a percentage amount, known as the flat-rate addition,
which unregistered farmers apply to their prices when selling to VAT-registered
businesses (co-ops, meat factories etc.). The VAT-registered business treats the flat-
rate amount as a normal business input in its periodic VAT return.
From 1 January 2013 the flat-rate compensation to unregistered farmers is reduced to
4.8 per cent.
Example
• An unregistered farmer sells goods worth €100 to a meat factory on 1
January 2013;
• The flat-rate addition of 4.8% means the farmer can increase the price to
€104.80;
• The factory claims back the €4.80 flat-rate addition as a credit in its normal
VAT return.
There is no impact on the price of goods to the final consumer due to the flat-rate
addition.
Livestock rate
The livestock rate, which is the VAT rate charged by registered farmers and other
businesses on the supply of livestock, live greyhounds and the hire of horses, remains
unchanged at 4.8 per cent.
Commencement
This section has effect from 1 January 2013.
74. Amendment of section 120 of the VAT Consolidation Act (regulations)
Summary
This section amends section 120 of the VAT Consolidation Act, which deals with
regulations.
The amendment provides for the making of regulations, if necessary, relating to
evidence of business controls with regard to invoicing.
Details
Paragraphs (a) and (b) are technical amendments.
Paragraph (c) inserts a new subparagraph (v) into section 120(9)(b) to allow the
Revenue Commissioners to make regulations relating to evidence of business
controls with regard to invoicing in accordance with section 66(2A) of the VAT
Consolidation Act.
Commencement
This section has effect from the date of passing of the Finance Act (27 March 2013).
75. Amendment of Schedule 1 and of Schedule 3 to the VAT Consolidation
Act
Summary
This section amends Schedules 1 and 3 to the VAT Consolidation Act.
The amendments to Schedule 1
provide for changes consequential to the changes to Schedule 3
clarify the financial services and related agency services included in the list
of exempt activities and
provide for the continuation of the existing VAT exemption for Investment
Limited Partnerships.
The amendments to Schedule 3 provide that the services threshold, currently
€37,500, applies to the turnover derived by public bodies from the provision by them
of facilities for sporting and physical education activities.
Details
Schedule 1
Subsection (1) amends Schedule 1, which lists exempt activities.
Paragraphs (a) and (i) amend paragraphs 5 and 11 of Schedule 1. The amendments
are consequential to the amendments being made in subsection (2) and have effect
from 1 January 2013.
Paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (f), (g) and (h) amend paragraphs 6 and 7 of Schedule 1 and
clarify the financial services and related agency services included in the list of
exempt activities.
Paragraph (e) amends paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to provide for the continuation of
the VAT exemption for Investment Limited Partnerships. Section 42 of the Finance
Act provides for amendments to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) to restore
the tax-transparent nature of certain collective investment funds formed under the
Investment Limited Partnership Act 1994. The VAT Consolidation Act 2010
contains references to the TCA and those references are now updated in order to
ensure the current VAT treatment of Investment Limited Partnerships is preserved.
Schedule 3
Subsection (2) amends Schedule 3 to the VAT Consolidation Act, which lists goods
and services chargeable at the reduced rate.
Paragraph (a) makes a technical amendment to paragraph 11.
Paragraphs (b) and (c) amend paragraph 12. The amendments provide that the
services threshold for VAT registration, currently €37,500, applies to the turnover
derived by public bodies from the provision by them of facilities for sporting and
physical education activities. This is in order to provide that public bodies which
have become subject to VAT for certain activities can avail of the services threshold
like other businesses. It means, for example, that bodies such as local schools who
rent out school halls on a small scale basis for sporting and physical education
activities will not be obliged to register for VAT unless they exceed this threshold.
They can of course elect to become taxable if they so choose.
Subsection (3) applies 1 January 2013 as the date of coming into effect of paragraphs
(a) and (i) of subsection (1) and of subsection (2).
Commencement
Subsection (1)(a) and (i) and subsection (2) have effect from 1 January 2013.
Subsection (1)(b), (c), (d), (f), (g) and (h) have effect from the date of passing of the
Finance Act (27 March 2013).
