IHF calls for VAT reform

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has called for reform of the VAT system for hotels and restaurants, claiming that the current regime is "a major barrier for developing Irish tourism".

In a statement today, the IHF said: "At 13.5%, Ireland has the second-highest VAT rate in the eurozone for hotel accommodation charges (second only to Germany). Compounding the issue is that this high VAT rate is non-recoverable for legitimate business expenditure."