15/02/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 15 February, the European Commission announced that it had launched a verification process to assess whether repayments of VAT to businesses in the member states comply with European legislation and the case-law of the Court of Justice of the EU. The European institution stresses that a fast and simple procedure can have a major impact on companies' cash flows and competitiveness. “This is especially true for the smallest companies who cannot afford to go through the long and burdensome procedures to get the VAT they are owed back from the state”, it explains. Over the next eight months, therefore, it will examine the rules of the member states, particularly the time taken by the procedure, and any needless obstacles. It reserves the right to launch infringement proceedings in case of non-compliance with the European rules. (EL)