Belgrade, February 22, 2024 - On the premises of the Central Tax Administration in Belgrade, international consultant for current trends in the VAT system in the European Union, Markus Drost, held a training on this topic, which was attended by 24 participants. Training was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) within the project "EU Public Finance Management Facility." This is the first in a series of trainings aimed at adapting the tax system in Serbia to EU standards.

Markus Drost introduced the historical background of the VAT system in the EU to the participants of the training, and stressed the importance of harmonising the VAT system at the national level for all countries that are in the process of accession to the Union. The participants had the opportunity to hear about the information exchange system VAT (VIES) as well as the system of the One- Stop- Shop, which simplifies obligations in relation to VAT. The training ended with a review of how this area will develop further, primarily in the context of digitization.

Training participant Aleksandra Vukićević, head of the department for transfer prices in the department for tax control of the Centre for Large Taxpayers (CVPO), is enthusiastic about the development of the Tax Administration in Serbia. "Such trainings need larger attendance, and candidates should also be CVPO inspectors, because the topics are of great importance for the improvement of their work. This expertise that we received today from Mr. Drost, it is something fantastic, it is the future of the Tax Administration. I am happy that the Tax Administration develops, and I believe that we can largely reach EU rules on the way to full membership," said Vukićević.

The “EU Public Finance Management Facility” Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Finance (CEF) and the Slovak Ministry of Finance.