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Some Insights into the Challenges & Opportunities of Digitalization in the Field of a Value-Added Tax

Senyk, Mariya LU (2025) p.125-151
Abstract

Digitalization poses significant challenges to the EU VAT system, as it does in other areas of law. These challenges can be broadly divided into two main categories: those stemming from transformations in the economy, and those related to the legislative responses to these changes. In the VAT context, the first category includes the growing volume of transactions—particularly cross-border transactions—the increasing role of digital intermediaries in the supply of goods and services, and the emergence of transactions that do not easily align with the current EU VAT framework. The second category concerns issues such as the complexity of rules, lack of legal certainty, regulatory overreach, and potential human rights implications. Unlike... (More)

Digitalization poses significant challenges to the EU VAT system, as it does in other areas of law. These challenges can be broadly divided into two main categories: those stemming from transformations in the economy, and those related to the legislative responses to these changes. In the VAT context, the first category includes the growing volume of transactions—particularly cross-border transactions—the increasing role of digital intermediaries in the supply of goods and services, and the emergence of transactions that do not easily align with the current EU VAT framework. The second category concerns issues such as the complexity of rules, lack of legal certainty, regulatory overreach, and potential human rights implications. Unlike direct taxes, digitalization does not undermine the core principles of VAT as a tax on consumption. On the contrary, it offers opportunities to enhance the system through technological solutions that can simplify compliance and reduce VAT fraud. New business models involving digital platforms are being used to modernize VAT collection through shifting VAT obligations from suppliers to digital intermediaries. This chapter examines the key challenges posed by the digitalization in the field of EU VAT, explores how technological innovations and new business models are being used to address these issues, and highlights areas in need of further research.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Digitalization, European union, Platforms, Value-added tax
host publication
Taxation in the Digital Era : Economic, Legal, and Policy Challenges - Economic, Legal, and Policy Challenges
pages
27 pages
publisher
Springer Science and Business Media B.V.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105022316605
ISBN
9783031933653
9783031933646
DOI
10.1007/978-3-031-93365-3_6
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
51e87bb4-d0ad-48d9-a6db-81430d37d22b
date added to LUP
2026-02-09 14:05:20
date last changed
2026-02-09 14:06:28
@inbook{51e87bb4-d0ad-48d9-a6db-81430d37d22b,
  abstract     = {{<p>Digitalization poses significant challenges to the EU VAT system, as it does in other areas of law. These challenges can be broadly divided into two main categories: those stemming from transformations in the economy, and those related to the legislative responses to these changes. In the VAT context, the first category includes the growing volume of transactions—particularly cross-border transactions—the increasing role of digital intermediaries in the supply of goods and services, and the emergence of transactions that do not easily align with the current EU VAT framework. The second category concerns issues such as the complexity of rules, lack of legal certainty, regulatory overreach, and potential human rights implications. Unlike direct taxes, digitalization does not undermine the core principles of VAT as a tax on consumption. On the contrary, it offers opportunities to enhance the system through technological solutions that can simplify compliance and reduce VAT fraud. New business models involving digital platforms are being used to modernize VAT collection through shifting VAT obligations from suppliers to digital intermediaries. This chapter examines the key challenges posed by the digitalization in the field of EU VAT, explores how technological innovations and new business models are being used to address these issues, and highlights areas in need of further research.</p>}},
  author       = {{Senyk, Mariya}},
  booktitle    = {{Taxation in the Digital Era : Economic, Legal, and Policy Challenges}},
  isbn         = {{9783031933653}},
  keywords     = {{Digitalization; European union; Platforms; Value-added tax}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  pages        = {{125--151}},
  publisher    = {{Springer Science and Business Media B.V.}},
  title        = {{Some Insights into the Challenges & Opportunities of Digitalization in the Field of a Value-Added Tax}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-93365-3_6}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/978-3-031-93365-3_6}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}