On September 30, 2016, the VAT authorities confirmed that VAT shall apply to directors' fees.
From a VAT standpoint, "any person who carries out in an independent and usual manner any economic activity, whatever the purposes or results of that activity" qualifies as a taxable person. By virtue of this principle, the Circular n°781 confirms that directors who supply services are deemed to perform an economic activity within the meaning of VAT. The direct consequence is that directors qualify as VAT taxable persons and are therefore liable to register and charge VAT on their supplies.
The Circular states that, in accordance with the general place of supply rules, services rendered by a foreign director to a Luxembourg VAT taxable person are deemed to be supplied where the recipient is established. Hence, the latter becomes liable to self-assess Luxembourg VAT.
The VAT authorities also confirm that (1) employees who take up mandates on behalf of their employers are not concerned by these provisions due to their lack of independence and that (2) the small enterprises scheme remains available for directors established in Luxembourg whose turnover does not exceed €25,000 per year.
In addition, the scope of the existing VAT exemption provided by Article 44, §1, w) on services supplied within the framework of an honorific activity by the members of public bodies, professional chambers, board of managers or similar bodies and remunerated by attendance fees ("jetons de présence") was limited to the cases where such indemnity is only paid as a compensation for certain costs (i.e. the so-called "défraiements").
In line with the position of the European Commission, the Circular provides clear guidelines to address an area where VAT treatment was previously inconsistent.
In practice, those who previously took the view that directors' fees were not subject to VAT will now have to register for VAT purposes and comply with the Luxembourg VAT law for invoicing and reporting. For those who are already VAT registered, the Circular should not have any impact.
Finally, the Circular outlines that the above rules will be strictly applied as from January 1, 2017, meaning that in practice, the VAT authorities should not reassess taxpayers in this matter for prior years.
Dentons is the world's first polycentric global law firm. A top 20 firm on the Acritas 2015 Global Elite Brand Index, the Firm is committed to challenging the status quo in delivering consistent and uncompromising quality and value in new and inventive ways. Driven to provide clients a competitive edge, and connected to the communities where its clients want to do business, Dentons knows that understanding local cultures is crucial to successfully completing a deal, resolving a dispute or solving a business challenge. Now the world's largest law firm, Dentons' global team builds agile, tailored solutions to meet the local, national and global needs of private and public clients of any size in more than 125 locations serving 50-plus countries. www.dentons.com.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
