Conference: Value Added Tax and Direct Taxation – Similarities and Differences

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the debate at the conference VAT and Direct Taxation – Similarities and Differences’ held at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) in Vienna on 26–28 March 2009. The novelty of the debate lies in its aim being identification of concepts that could potentially be shared between VAT and income taxes. As a starting point, it deals with purposes and principles of consumption and income taxation. Numerous aspects of the notion of taxpayer are analysed, followed by a discussion on the treatment of groups of companies and intra-company dealings. The debate also covers the concept of abuse and anti-abuse measures. It deals with the issue of double (non-) taxation and connects it to the question of allocation of taxing rights. The debate culminates in remarks on a value added tax/goods and service tax (VAT/GST) treaty as a potential solution for allocation problems in consumption taxation.