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25/07/2024

VAT Issues for Holding Companies in Germany

Holding companies in Germany face unique challenges regarding VAT (Umsatzsteuer) and the ability to recover input tax (Vorsteuerabzug). Understanding these challenges is crucial for maintaining compliance and optimizing tax efficiency. Below is a detailed overview of the key issues, supported by relevant legal references and guidelines.

Definition and Types of Holding Companies

Holding companies are generally categorized into three types:

  1. Financial Holdings: These primarily manage investments without engaging in operational activities.
  2. Management Holdings (Führungsholdings): These actively manage their subsidiaries and provide services such as administrative, financial, or technical support.
  3. Mixed Holdings (Gemischte Holdings): These perform both investment management and operational activities.

The categorization affects their VAT treatment, especially concerning the recovery of input tax.

VAT Treatment of Holding Companies

  1. Financial Holdings: Pure financial holdings, which only hold and manage investments without providing services, are not considered taxable persons under German VAT law. Consequently, they cannot recover input tax on their expenses.
  2. Management Holdings: These are considered taxable persons if they provide taxable services to their subsidiaries. The VAT on costs incurred in providing these services, such as consultancy or management services, is recoverable (§ 15 Abs. 1 UStG). This has been reinforced by several rulings, including the European Court of Justice (ECJ) case C-108/14 and C-109/14, Larentia + Minerva, where the ECJ allowed full input tax deduction for such costs as they were part of the general overheads of the company.
  3. Mixed Holdings: For mixed holdings, VAT recovery is more complex. They must apportion input tax between their taxable and non-taxable activities. This requires meticulous documentation and often involves detailed calculations based on the proportion of taxable to total activities. The German tax authorities (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) have stringent requirements for this apportionment, as outlined in various BMF letters and court rulings.

Specific VAT Issues and Guidelines

  1. Costs of Capital Procurement: The ECJ and the Bundesfinanzhof (BFH) have ruled that costs related to capital procurement by a holding company can be considered general expenses. Thus, VAT on these costs can be recoverable if they are directly related to the holding’s taxable activities (§ 15 Abs. 1 UStG; BMF-Schreiben vom 16. August 2017, III C 2 – S 7300/15/10001).
  2. Operational Services: To ensure VAT recovery, management holdings should establish clear, documented service agreements with their subsidiaries. These agreements should outline the nature of services provided and the corresponding charges. Failure to do so can result in the denial of input tax recovery.
  3. Intercompany Loans: Providing loans to subsidiaries does not automatically qualify as an economic activity for VAT purposes. The ECJ has held that merely earning interest does not entitle the holding to recover input tax unless the loans are part of a broader business strategy aimed at enhancing the subsidiary’s operational performance. Relevant references include § 1 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 UStG and related BMF guidance (BMF-Schreiben vom 27. Dezember 2017, III C 2 – S 7100/13/10002).
  4. Mixed Holdings: For mixed holdings, input tax apportionment is essential. The allocation must be meticulously documented, and the method of apportionment must be justifiable. This is governed by guidelines such as those in § 15 Abs. 4 UStG and relevant BFH decisions.

Practical Steps for Managing VAT

  1. Early Engagement with Tax Experts: Consulting VAT specialists early can help structure the holding company’s activities to optimize VAT recovery.
  2. Detailed Documentation: Maintain comprehensive records of all transactions, service agreements, and the basis for apportioning input tax.
  3. Regular Audits: Conduct regular VAT audits to ensure compliance with the latest regulations and rulings.
  4. Clear Contract Terms: Ensure all service contracts between the holding and its subsidiaries are detailed and specify the nature of services provided and their taxable status.

Conclusion

Handling VAT for holding companies in Germany requires careful planning and thorough documentation. The complexities involved necessitate a clear understanding of the legal framework and proactive management to optimize tax recovery and ensure compliance.

For further assistance and queries on managing VAT for holding companies, please contact us at WW+KN, a Baker Tilly Company, via email at info@vat-germany.com.