Inline Hockey Championship Finals

Our managing director, Ben Knock, “knocked” off this week to the finals of the Inline Skate Hockey Championships in Italy! He’s the goalie for team GB, and we wish him lots of luck.

With Ben mingling with players from many different countries at the hockey championships, we thought it was a good opportunity to take a look at the VAT\GST rules for the countries represented in the finals. There are teams from 14 countries in the Inline Skate Hockey Championships finals, including countries from across the EU, Australia, USA, and Brazil. Here’s a rundown of the VAT\GST situation for some of the the teams in the Inline Skate Hockey Championships finals.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a beautiful Central European country that’s full of history and culture. It’s a member of the EU, Nato, the OECD and the UN. In the Czech Republic, the currency is still the Czech Koruna (CK) and VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 21%
• Reduced: 10-15%

You can get a VAT\GST refund on buses, trains, and shuttles, hotels and apartments, groceries, and taxis at 15%, and on other services and goods at 15-21%. Click here for more information about VAT\GST in the Czech Republic.

France

The nation famous for fashion, art, and fine wines, France is a popular destination for business travellers. It’s a member of the EU, part of the Eurozone, and has the fifth most developed economy in the world. In France, the currency is the Euro, and VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 20%
• Reduced: 10% for books, public transportation, hotels and meals in restaurants; 5.5% for most groceries; 2.1% for certain other items.

France complies with the EU’s directives for VAT\GST. For more information on it, click here.

Germany

One of the largest countries in Western Europe and boasting a highly developed economy, Germany is one of the founders of the EU and a member of the UN, Nato, G7, and the OECD. Germany’s currency is the Euro, and it complies with the EU directives on VAT\GST reclaim.

Germany’s VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 19%
• Reduced: 7%

For more information on VAT\GST in Germany, click here.

Great Britain

The UK, or Great Britain, is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It has a long and proud history and still uses the Pound Sterling for currency. The UK’s VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 20%
• Reduced: 5% (4% for long-term accommodation of over 28 nights) and 0%

The UK is the first country in the EU to entirely digitize its VAT\GST return process. For more information, click here.

Hungary

Hungary lies in Central Europe, home to the mighty Danube river and beautiful architecture that intermingles Eastern and Western influences. In Hungary, the currency is the Hungarian Forint and the VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 27%
• Reduced: 18% and 5%

Hungary allows your company to reclaim VAT\GST for internet and phone, conferences, car rental, buses, and trains, apartments and hotels, and laundry services. For more information on VAT\GST in Hungary, click here.

Italy

Italy has one of the largest economies in Europe and is a founding member of the EU, OECD, G7, G20, NATO and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Italy’s currency is the Euro, and VAT\GST rates are as follows:

• Standard: 22%
• Reduced: 10%, 5%, 4% and 0%

In Italy, it’s important that the invoice indicates the full details of the company, including full name and address. Modification to an invoice will likely not be possible. For more information about VAT\GST in Italy, click here.

Slovakia

Slovakia is a Central European country with a rich history and a culture of tradition. It’s a member of the EU and Nato, and uses the Euro as its currency. In Slovakia, the VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 20%
• Reduced: 10%

You can claim VAT\GST refunds for DDP, laundry, hotels and apartments groceries, internet, telephone, restaurants, conferences, parking, car rental, most types of transportation, and fuel. For more information on VAT\GST in Slovakia, click here.

Slovenia

Slovenia is a member of the EU and Nato. A small country with beautiful mountains and skiing resorts, its currency is the Euro, and its VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 22%
• Reduced: 5.9%

For information about VAT\GST reclaim in Slovenia, click here.

Sweden

Lying alongside Norway and Finland in Scandinavia, Sweden is the third-largest country in the EU and has one of the world’s highest per-capita incomes. Sweden’s currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK), and its VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 25%
• Reduced: 12% and 6%

Sweden allows businesses from any country to apply for a VAT\GST refund. For more information, click here.

Switzerland

Famous for chocolate and cuckoo clocks, Switzerland is an important country for business travellers. Its currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF), and its VAT\GST rates are:

• Standard: 8%
• Reduced: 3.8% and 2.5%

The minimum VAT\GST reclaim amount per year is just CHF500 in Switzerland, and your business can claim it on many varied expenses. For more information on VAT\GST in Switzerland, click here.

For all the details about filing successful VAT\GST returns in all the countries represented in the inline hockey championships, download our eBook.

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