
The challenges of VAT beyond VAT in the Digital Age
This study should consider possible improvements to the EU VAT system and assess their feasibility and likely consequences, based on the analysis of its current weaknesses, gaps, inefficiencies. As requested by the ToR, this requires a forward-looking analysis and prospective reflection, combined with and based on the retrospective assessment of the current situation. The study requires, on the one side, a thorough re-assessment of well-known problems of the EU VAT systems, which have been discussed for years by policymakers, scholars and in courts and tribunals, the solutions to which have already been long proposed in the academic as well as policy arena. On the other side, it requires a fresh view to identify new solutions to old problems, new problems and their possible solutions, as well as potential unknown problems, i.e. those that may appear in the future given the current economic, political and legal evolution and the megatrends of the EU and global society. Operationally, the activities needed to achieve the objectives of the study are straightforward. For each of the areas or angle of analysis, the study team will have to: Identify existing weaknesses and challenges of the EU VAT system, including those that may appear in the future given the likely evolution of the current situation. Design solutions to the problems identified. Assess the feasibility and consequences of the solutions identified.