Combating VAT Fraud Forum took place in Yerevan, Armenia on 26-28 April 2016. The Forum was organised by IOTA Secretariat and hosted by the State Revenue Committee of Armenia. 38 participants from 22 IOTA member countries, European Commission and the Europol discussed different aspects of the prevention of VAT fraud such as the use of domestic supplier and customer listings / transaction reporting to prevent and detect VAT fraud, cooperation with other tax administrations within and outside EU, with law enforcement and other agencies to fight serious organised VAT fraud. Delegates were also updated on actual VAT fraud trends.
The event, which attracted significant media attention, was opened by Mr Vakhtang Mirumyan, Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia. Mr Vakhtang emphasised that the three-day conference will provide opportunity for discussing the latest developments and main concerns of combating VAT frauds, studying best international practice and acquiring relevant knowledge. He added that it will also promote formation of a more harmonious and predictable tax field. Deputy Chairman underlined that combating VAT frauds is acquiring a special importance also in the context of different integration processes. 
Participants listened to presentations of Armenia, Latvia, Estonia, Spain, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Luxemburg, Sweden, Belgium, Europol and the European Commission. Delegates continued the work in groups where they discussed national prevention systems regarding the experience and effect on VAT fraud, obstacles for sharing information related to VAT fraud and possible solutions to share information in order to effectively fight serious organised VAT fraud both at national and international levels.
Participants also discussed the draft mandate for the Forum for the period 2017/18 with special regard to the issue of added value the Forum brings to tax administrations compared to other international organisations.
Further information about the Forum, including all presentations is available here.