2012 Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide - EY

1 The 2012 Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales tax Guide Preface The Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide is part of a suite of premier tax guides published by ernst & young . The others are the Worldwide Corporate Tax Guide , The Global Executive and, new this year, the Estate and Inheritance Tax Guide . Each repre- sents thousands of hours of tax research, and within the limits of annual publications, they are the most reliably comprehensive guides available. Since the global financial crisis, many governments have raised their indirect taxes on consumption, especially their value-added taxes (VATs) and goods and services taxes (GSTs). Some have raised their rates several times and also modified their consump- tion tax bases. This churning of consumption tax law makes a current, detailed Guide like this one all the more valuable. The content of the Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide is straightforward. Chapter by chapter from Albania to Zimbabwe, we summarize consumption tax systems in 101 jurisdictions and the European Union (EU).

2 The content is current on 1 January 2012 , with exceptions noted. Each chapter begins with contact information for the key people in that country's ernst & young offices. Then we lay out the facts about the jurisdiction's indirect taxes, beginning with an at-a- glance summary. With some variation, the topics covered are the scope of the tax, persons liable, tax rates, exemptions, time of supply, the recovery of the tax by taxable persons and nonestab- lished businesses, invoicing, tax returns and payments, and many more. In addition, for EU countries, the Guide includes informa- tion on INTRASTAT reports and EU Sales Lists. At the back of the book, readers will find a list of the names and symbols for all national currencies. ernst & young publishes other Indirect Tax publications, includ- ing current Tax Alerts, the Indirect Tax Briefing newsletter and Indirect Tax in 2012 , which discusses the changes in VAT, GST, excise duties, customs duties and environmental taxes for the up- coming year.

3 Find them at Find electronic versions of the Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide and other tax publications on and mobile versions at various app stores. ernst & young April 2012 . Although this publication is intended to be com- prehensive, it should not be regarded as offering advice or a complete explanation of the tax mat- ters referred to and is subject to changes in the law and other applicable rules. Also, this publi- cation does not provide guidance on the local application of the law in practice. Local publi- cations of a more detailed nature are frequently available, and readers are advised to consult their local ernst & young professionals for fur- ther information. About ernst & young 's Tax services Your business will only achieve its true poten- tial if you build it on strong foundations and grow it in a sustainable way. At ernst & young , we believe that managing your tax obligations responsibly and proactively can make a critical difference.

4 Our global teams of talented people bring you technical knowledge, business experi- ence and consistent methodologies, all built on our unwavering commitment to quality service wherever you are and whatever tax services you need. Effective compliance and open, transparent re- porting are the foundations of a successful tax function. Tax strategies that align with the needs of your business and recognize the potential of change are crucial to sustainable growth. So we create highly networked teams who can advise on planning, compliance and reporting and maintain effective tax authority relationships wherever you operate. You can access our technical networks across the globe to work with you to reduce inefficiencies, mitigate risk and improve opportunity. Our 29,000 tax people, in over 140 countries, are committed to giving you the quality, consistency and customization you need to support your tax function.

5 It's how ernst & young makes a difference. 2012 EYGM Limited. All Rights Reserved. Contents ernst & young Global Tax contacts .. 1. Albania .. 3. 7. Armenia .. 14. Aruba .. 20. Australia .. 23. Austria (European Union member state) .. 31. Azerbaijan .. 42. Barbados .. 47. Belarus .. 51. Belgium (European Union member state) .. 58. Bolivia .. 68. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (BES-Islands; extraordinary overseas municipalities of the Netherlands) .. 72. Botswana .. 75. Brazil .. 80. Bulgaria (European Union member state) .. 89. 97. Chile .. 108. China, People's Republic of .. 112. Colombia .. 127. Costa Rica .. 133. Croatia .. 138. Cura ao .. 147. Cyprus (European Union member state) .. 151. Czech Republic (European Union member state) .. 161. Denmark (European Union member state) .. 173. Dominican Republic .. 181. Ecuador .. 186. Egypt .. 189. El Salvador .. 194. Estonia (European Union member state).

6 198. European Union .. 208. Finland (European Union member state).. 217. France (European Union member state) .. 229. Georgia .. 238. Germany (European Union member state) .. 248. Ghana .. 261. Greece (European Union member state) .. 266. Guatemala .. 275. Honduras .. 281. Hungary (European Union member state).. 286. India .. 295. Indonesia .. 303. Ireland, Republic of (European Union member state) .. 309. Isle of Man .. 319. 331. Italy (European Union member state) .. 336. Japan .. 347. Jersey, Channel Islands .. 351. Jordan .. 356. Kazakhstan .. 365. Kenya .. 370. Korea (South) .. 376. Latvia (European Union member state) .. 385. 396. Lithuania (European Union member state) .. 402. Luxembourg (European Union member state) .. 411. Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic 420. Malaysia .. 425. Malta (European Union member state) .. 430. Mauritius .. 437. Mexico .. 443. Moldova .. 448. Morocco .. 453. Netherlands (European Union member state).

7 457. New Zealand .. 467. Nicaragua .. 476. 479. Norway .. 483. Pakistan .. 490. Panama .. 497. Papua New 501. Paraguay .. 506. Peru .. 509. 515. Poland (European Union member state) .. 525. Portugal (European Union member state) .. 535. Romania (European Union member state) .. 544. Russian Federation .. 554. 564. Singapore .. 568. Sint 575. Slovak Republic (European Union member state) .. 578. Slovenia (European Union member state) .. 593. South Africa .. 602. Spain (European Union member state).. 609. Sweden (European Union member state) .. 618. Switzerland .. 626. Taiwan .. 634. Tanzania .. 639. Thailand .. 644. Trinidad and Tobago .. 649. Tunisia .. 653. Turkey .. 657. Uganda .. 662. 669. United Kingdom (European Union member state).. 677. United States .. 691. 697. Venezuela .. 701. Vietnam .. 70 . Zambia .. 713. 717. Foreign 725. 1. ernst & young Global Tax contacts London GMT. ernst & young Global +44 (20) 7980-0000.

8 Becket House Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275 (Tax). 1 Lambeth Palace Road London SE1 7EU. England ernst & young Global Tax David Holtze, +44 (20) 7980-0019. Global Vice Chairman Tax Mobile: +44 7825-938-783. Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275. Email: Area tax leaders Americas Kate J. Barton New York: +1 (212) 773-8762. Boston: +1 (617) 585-6820. Mobile: +1 (617) 230-1500. Efax: +1 (866) 854-9928. Email: Asia-Pacific Michael Sanders +852 2629-3708. Mobile: +852 6852-5301. Efax: +852 3753-8808. Email: Europe, Middle East, India and Africa Stephan Kuhn +41 (58) 286-44-26. Mobile: +41 (58) 289-44-26. Fax: +41 (58) 286-30-04. Email: Japan Kenji Amino +81 (3) 3506-2164. Mobile: +81 (80) 1394-9144. Fax: +81 (3) 3506-2412. Email: Global Tax Center leaders Paul Antrobus, +420 225-335-811. Global Tax People Leader Mobile: +420 731-627-015. Fax: +420 225-335-222. Email: Mark Goudsmit, +44 (20) 7980-0074. Global Leader Tax Quality & Mobile: +31 (6) 2908-3420.

9 Risk Management Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275. Email: David Holtze, +44 (20) 7980-0019. Global Chief Operating Mobile: +44 7825-938-783. Officer Tax Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275. Email: 2 E R N S T & Y O U N G G L O BA L T A X C O N TAC T S. James D. Miller, +44 (20) 7951-4547. Director Global Tax Finance Mobile: +44 7768-818-456. and Infrastructure Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275. Email: Aidan O'Carroll, +44 (20) 7980-0789. Global Leader Tax Markets Mobile: +44 7768-911-551. Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275. Email: Diana Peltier, +1 (202) 327-7807. Director Global Tax Communications Mobile: +1 (301) 848-8353. Efax: +1 (866) 210-0728. Email: Global Tax Subservice Lines Business Tax Services Jim Hunter, +44 (20) 7980-0989. Global Director Mobile: +44 7717-158-404. Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275. Email: Human Capital Dina A. Pyron, New York: +1 (212) 773-7667. Global Director Houston: +1 (713) 750-8816. Mobile: +1 (713) 818-9847. Efax: +1 (866) 543-6963.

10 Fax: +1 (212) 773-2722. Email: Indirect Tax Philip Robinson, Mobile: +41 (58) 289-31-97. Global Director Email: International Tax Services James J. Tobin, +1 (212) 773-6400. Global Director Mobile: +1 (917) 365-9466. Efax: +1 (866) 862-1314. Email: Transaction Tax Aidan Stokes, +44 (20) 7980-0046. Global Director and Europe, Mobile: +44 7769-672-519. Middle East, India and Africa Fax: +44 (20) 7980-0275. Transaction Tax Director Email: Editor Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide Ronald Anes +1 (732) 516-4551. Efax: +1 (866) 863-4590. Email: 3. Albania (Country code 355). Tirana GMT +1. ernst & young Dibra Str. Observator Building 7th Floor Tirana Albania Indirect tax contacts Dr. Alexandros Karakitis +355 (4) 241-9571, Email: Anisa Jasini +355 (4) 241-9575, Email: A. At a glance Name of the tax Value-added tax (VAT). Local name Tatimi mbi Vleren e Shtuar (TVSH). Date introduced 27 April 1995. European Union (EU).