- The ECJ clarified that the VAT exemption for cost-sharing groups under Article 132(1)(f) of the EU VAT Directive should be interpreted broadly, including general support services like cleaning, IT, and administration.
- The ruling rejects the requirement that services must be “exclusively” necessary and that a general presumption of competition distortion is enough to deny the exemption.
- Member States, especially Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, must align their national laws and practices with this broader interpretation, impacting public interest sectors such as healthcare, education, and social services.
- The decision enables more flexible and VAT-efficient collaboration models for tax-exempt entities across the EU.
Source: alvarezandmarsal.com
Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.
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