Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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140. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an illegal scam involving the European central register for the collection and publication of VAT registration numbers; if an investigation has been conducted into this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49576/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is currently no official EU VAT register and that only national tax administrations have the right to issue a VAT number.

I have been informed of reports whereby companies in different EU Member States have received letters encouraging the recipient to disclose his VAT registration number and indeed the EU Commission has issued an alert to the effect that companies have received proposals offering to obtain a valid VAT number against an advance payment. Such proposals have the appearance of an official EU document.  However, there is currently no official EU VAT register and any unsolicited correspondence received from unknown or suspicious sources in relation to VAT registration numbers should be brought to the attention of the Revenue Commissioners.