§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is now the registration limit for value added tax in each of the European Economic Community States, expressed in £ sterling and as percentages of average earnings in each country.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyne[pursuant to his reply, 29 November 1982, c. 76.]: Following is the available information:
Annual limit in sterling (rates of exchange as at 25 September 1982) Type of limit* Ratio of annual limit to average gross manual hourly earnings† Belgium No exemption — — Denmark £715 Turnover 175:1 France £120 Tax 50:1 Germany £5,010 Tax inclusive turnover 1,330:1 Irish Republic £12,690 (businesses mainly involved in services) Turnover 4,800:1 £25,380 (other businesses) — 9,600:1 Italy No exemption — — Luxembourg £2,560 Tax exclusive turnover 755:1 Netherlands £530 Tax 135:1 United Kingdom £17,000 Taxable turnover 5,925:1 Greece does not yet have a value added tax.
* At present, exemption limits differ in kind between EC countries. In some cases they are based on turnover; in others on tax liability. They are often operated in conjunction with special schemes for small traders.
† Source: Department of Employment. Comparable statistics for average earnings are only available at present for gross hourly earnings of manual workers. The ratios quoted are based on the latest available earnings figures for October 1981.