vat on EU expenses

longforgotten

What, if anything, can be done to claim back vat on one off expenses while in the eu. Eg hotel stays needed for business trips, meals, hire of vehicle, in France and Italy. Trips maybe repeated during the year or maybe next year, same countries but different hotels etc.....

Thanks in advance for any advice.........

martindow

I don't think you can reclaim the local VAT.

If you booked hotels and car hire through a UK company you would pay in GBP and be able to get a VAT invoice where you could reclaim. Meals, coffees and minor expenses paid locally in Euros you would not be able to reclaim but the gross figures could be entered as an expense on your accounts.

JasonLVC

If you're not a VAT registered business, there's no way of reclaiming the VAT back I'm afraid.

If you are a UK VAT registered entity, then you can reclaim VAT via what is known as an 8th Directive reclaim. Google "overseas VAT reclaim" to bring up hundreds of companies who'll reclaim the VAT for you, for a 15%ish cut of the reclaim.

From Jan 2010, you can do this yourself, online, in English. But until then, either use one of these firms or do it yourself....if you know the language of the country you are reclaiming for.