Expert Services · VAT Consultancy & Audits

Cross-border VAT advice,
made actionable

From intra-EU B2B supply chains and reverse charge validation to direct tax authority correspondence and audit defense. We help you frame the legal position, gather the right evidence, and resolve inquiries with complete confidence.

Schedule a consultation → Audit Risk Diagnoser
30+
Countries covered
Direct
Tax authority liaison
< 24h
Advisory turnaround
100%
Client defense representation
Practice Areas

Practical support across your European VAT issues

No abstract theory or generic checklists. We deliver actionable, legally robust solutions grounded in EU directives and national administrative court precedents.

01

Tax Authority Inquiries & Audits

Direct defense against queries from the German Finanzamt, French DGFiP, UK HMRC, Italian Agenzia delle Entrate, and Spanish AEAT. Preparing formal legal briefs and evidence files.

02

Supply Chain & Transaction Structuring

Legal structuring of complex cross-border trade flows: triangular trade under Article 141, call-off stock rules, and dropshipping without unnecessary multi-state registrations.

03

B2B Reverse Charge Validation

Ensuring rock-solid compliance under Articles 44 and 196 of Directive 2006/112/EC. Invoicing verifications, proof of customer establishment, and VIES audit trails.

04

Historic Liabilities & Voluntary Disclosures

Guiding businesses through statutory voluntary disclosures for past unfiled transactions, mitigating punitive surcharges, penalty interest, and prosecution risks.

05

E-Commerce & OSS Optimization

Optimizing VAT liability under IOSS, Union OSS, and Non-Union OSS schemes, navigating marketplace deemed supplier rules and DAC7 reporting requirements.

06

Foreign VAT Reclaims (Direct Refunds)

Reclaiming foreign input VAT incurred on conferences, exhibition booths, professional travel, and local logistics under Directive 2008/9/EC and the 13th Directive.

Case Intake & Advisory Triage

VAT Audit & Inquiry Triage Guide

Select your operational parameters to identify critical defense preparation priorities, evidence requirements, and recommended advisory steps.

VAT Audit & Inquiry Triage Guide

VAT Audit & Inquiry Triage Guide

Select your operational parameters to identify critical defense preparation priorities, evidence requirements, and recommended advisory steps.

FORMAL TAX DEFENSE PROTOCOL

Advisory Triage Assessment

Primary Defense Focus Area:
Immediate audit file lockdown and cross-border return reconciliation.
Critical Documentation Required:
Contemporaneous proof of transport (CMRs/bills of lading) and VIES validation logs.
Recommended Immediate 3-Step Protocol:
  1. Isolate transaction data and filings for the requested assessment periods.
  2. Verify validity of customer VAT IDs and international shipment documentation.
  3. Engage qualified local tax counsel to review notice terms before submitting responses.
Important Notice: This triage guide provides general operational scoping for case intake and does not constitute formal legal or tax advice. Exact procedural response deadlines, penalty calculations, and defense strategies depend strictly on the specific formal notice received and national tax procedure codes. Direct representation by licensed tax counsel is strongly recommended for active inquiries.
Guaranteed Advisory Response: < 24 Hours Confidential Case Review
Request Confidential Case Review →
Direct representation before EU tax authorities · Strict legal privilege
Engagement Process

Three steps from initial contact to resolution

01

Case File Assessment (< 24h)

We analyze the tax authority query, underlying invoice samples, logistics documentation, and contract agreements to identify exposure areas and deadlines.

02

Legal Brief & Strategy Formulation

We draft the formal statutory response, referencing EU directives and European Court of Justice precedents, fully aligned with your commercial operations.

03

Direct Representation & Closure

Our team negotiates directly with the tax inspector in their national language, defending zero-rating claims and securing audit closure without adverse assessments.

Specialist vs Generalist

Why cross-border VAT demands dedicated counsel

Evaluation Factor General Accounting Practice VAT.SUPPORT Specialized Counsel
Language of Defense Domestic English or local country language only Native correspondence in German, French, Italian, Spanish & English
EU Directive Depth General compliance familiarity Specialized focus on Directive 2006/112/EC & CJEU case law
Tax Authority Representation Rare exposure to multi-jurisdiction desk audits Daily representation before Finanzamt, DGFiP, HMRC & AEAT
Response SLA Standard multi-week queue Guaranteed initial case assessment within 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions on VAT audits and advisory services

What should I do if my business receives an audit notice from an EU tax office?
Preserve the delivery envelope/email timestamp to record the formal date of receipt, avoid submitting unreviewed documentation, and engage specialized VAT counsel immediately. Most EU tax offices enforce strict statutory deadlines of 15 to 30 days. We review the legality of the inquiry, request extensions where necessary, and prepare formal legal responses.
Can VAT Support represent our company directly before foreign tax authorities?
Yes. Our senior VAT lawyers and advisors liaise directly with tax offices across Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK in their native administrative languages.
How does cross-border B2B Reverse Charge defense work under Article 196?
Under Directive 2006/112/EC, suppliers of B2B cross-border services must prove the customer is a taxable person (via verified VIES records) and that the place of supply correctly shifts to the recipient. We audit historic customer databases to assemble bulletproof defense files against retroactive VAT assessments.
What is the turnaround time for urgent tax inquiries?
We provide a complete preliminary case assessment within 24 hours of receiving the tax office documentation.
Do you assist with voluntary disclosures for historic undeclared periods?
Yes. If your business had historic cross-border sales without proper VAT registration or reporting, we manage voluntary disclosure procedures to minimize or eliminate punitive penalties and interest.

Facing an urgent tax authority audit or complex cross-border issue?

Submit your inquiry or tax notice for a confidential, privileged case assessment within 24 hours.

Request Case Review → Partner With Us

Related Compliance Solutions:

LATESTBC’s PST Expansion Reaches Fabric and Pattern Sellers October 1 — Days … → OSS returns are filed quarterly — one return for all 27 EU states. Overseas sellers: VAT is due from your first EU sale — no threshold. IOSS covers imported goods up to €150 in value. 27 EU member states, one OSS registration.