Text tabled : A7-0318/2011

  Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris (PPE), in writing. – (IT) It is imperative to review the VAT system, which was introduced more than 40 years ago, since the structure of trade in favour of an increase in cross-border transactions has shown the limitations of the system as well as the huge scope for fraud that may result from it. For my part, I hope that the legislative proposal will aim to further simplify the system in order to reduce administrative burdens for businesses (in large part due to VAT formalities) and especially for small businesses, of which there are a very large amount in my country: 4 335 448 (99.9% of all businesses). It is therefore essential to strengthen the simplification measures through the use of harmonised VAT return models, special schemes for small businesses and micro businesses, and the development of the one-stop shop. In the case of intra-Community transactions, the Commission has declared its willingness to definitively abandon the objective of taxation in the country of origin in favour of destination-based taxation. This mechanism would have the benefit of preventing some types of fraud. However, small retailers are siding against the proposal, as it would mean abolishing the system of fractionated VAT payments (one of the main benefits of the current system), and hence concentrating the financial risk on traders, who would have to pay the full amount of VAT to the public treasury.