Businesses operating internationally have to deal with a variety of global tax considerations, including indirect tax obligations such as Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Good and Services Tax (GST). With many countries revising or implementing new value-added tax rules, it can be a challenge for companies to manage activities in various jurisdictions and ensure compliance and an efficient set up for the relevant processes.

VAT and GST are broadly based on transactions, so liability will arise regardless of profitability. Markets in every corner of the world have indirect taxes, including the European Union, China, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Japan and Russia, to name a few. With ever-increasing indirect tax technical complexities and regulatory requirements, U.S. and foreign businesses need to effectively plan for and comply with each foreign jurisdiction’s indirect tax rules to avoid unnecessary costs, delays, and administrative burdens.

Given more recent developments, for example, with Digital Services Tax regimes assessing VAT on non-resident businesses in various countries in Europe and Latin America, BPM can help companies manage this exposure and consider ways to mitigate the tax expense.

To assist with these efforts, BPM is partnering with Frank van Hulsen, a knowledgeable professional in this specialized area. Frank has over 35 years of international corporate and VAT experience, and 29, of which, were with a global firm in various leadership positions in Europe and the U.S. These and other International Tax Services (ITS) resources further distinguish BPM and our ITS practice in the marketplace.

BPM’s indirect tax specialists provide companies with effective U.S.-based indirect tax consulting, planning and compliance support, minimizing their risks, costs, and administrative burdens. We can assist companies on indirect tax matters such as the following:

• The indirect tax consequences of entering new markets
• When and how to register for indirect tax in a foreign jurisdiction
• The “reverse charge” mechanism and when is it available
• How to reduce the costs and cash-flow burdens of indirect taxes
• Indirect tax opportunity identification and implementation
• The invoicing requirements for indirect taxes
• Securing a VAT credit or refund that has been rejected
• Determining the optimum port(s) for importing tangible goods into the EU
• Use of Mini One Stop Shop (MOSS) for supplies of electronic services in the EU
• Indirect tax dispute resolution
• Transactional consulting for indirect tax
• Business model optimization for indirect tax

Please contact BPM’s Javier Salinas for more information.