Brussels, 30/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - As part of its strategy to combat tax evasion and fraud, the European Commission published, on Friday 30 October, a study carried out by an external contractor on the gap between the amount of VAT due and the amount received in 25 member states and the evolution of these figures over a seven-year period. The authors of the study consider the VAT gap amounts to between €90 and €113 billion annually over the period 2000-2006. For 2006, this gap represents 12% of the VAT that can, in theory, be claimed, with significant differences noted from one country to the next. Figures confirm the estimates of VAT fraud carried out in the past and underline the “absolute need for the EU and member states to continue their efforts in fighting VAT fraud”, said László Kovács, Commissioner for Taxation and Customs, in a press release. For further information on this subject see: http: //ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/tax_cooperation/reports/ndex_en.htm. (O.L./transl.jl)