French VAT rates and returns updates

France has issued a number of decrees modifying the French VAT regime. The changes, effective on 1 January 2015, include:

• The VAT rate on construction services provided in designated areas of deprivation has been reduced to 5.5%
• Imports of works of art or antiques will now be subject to 5.5% instead of 10%.
• Tickets for sporting events have been reclassified from nil VAT to 5.5%

• Withdrawal of the requirement to submit two duplicate annual returns for the simplified VAT regime
• VAT remittances for the simplified VAT regime have been changed to twice annually