VAT Information For WOMEX 25

VAT Charge on Admission Fees

In accordance with EU tax regulations, registrations at trade fairs and conferences fall under the rule for taxation of admission to cultural events. Admission fees are subject to the local VAT rate of the country where the event takes place.

The applicable VAT rate for admission fees in Finland regarding WOMEX 25 is 14%.

This VAT rate on admission fees has to be charged on all delegate registrations for WOMEX 25, regardless of where the taxable person is based. It is also exempt from the reverse charge procedure for EU companies with a valid VAT ID number.

For more information, please see European Commission Taxation and Customs Union website

VAT REIMBURSEMENT ON TRADE FAIR STAND BOOKINGS

The applicable VAT rate for stand bookings in Finland regarding WOMEX 25 is 25.5%.

If you book a stand in addition to your registration (exhibition package) at WOMEX you do not need to pay VAT, if:

• your company is based in the EU and you have a valid VAT ID number or or
• your company is based outside the EU and can provide proof of tax residence and entrepreneurship.

However,

• If you are a German company with a valid VAT ID number you have to pay German VAT on the event package.
• If you are an EU company without a valid VAT ID number, you have to pay local (Finnish) VAT on the event package.
• If you are a company based outside the EU and cannot provide proof of tax residence and entrepreneurship, you have to pay local (Finnish) VAT on the event package.

VAT RECLAIM

If you are a company from outside the EU you can claim a VAT refund by contacting YOUR local tax authorities in YOUR country and they will claim the refund electronically from the Finnish tax authorities.

Taxable persons from inside the EU who incur VAT in connection with their business activities in an EU Member State in which they do not make supplies of goods or services, are usually entitled to deduct the VAT charged in that EU Member State. This "deduction" is typically by means of a refund of VAT from the EU Member State in which the VAT was paid. Please contact YOUR local tax authorities about how to claim the VAT refund.

A taxable person is allowed to deduct the VAT they paid on their purchases insofar as the goods or services are used for their business activities. However, there is no right to deduct input VAT if they:

• use them for an exempt activity or
• are not obliged to charge VAT on their outputs (e.g. schools, banks, insurance companies, small businesses under the exemption threshold etc.)

For further information the following websites provide good guidance and please contact your own tax consultant:

• Right to deduct input VAT and VAT refunds - European commission
• Refund of VAT to foreign businesses established outside the EU
• Application - Refund of value added tax to foreign businesses (9550)

You are also advised to seek your own professional tax advice if in doubt.