Plants Abroad functionality in SAP can be activated to handle tax issues for companies that have VAT registration numbers in more than one country.

The SAP functionality enables the use of different tax reporting countries within one company code, the use of the correct company VAT registration number for the sales invoices, the proper VAT treatment for cross border stock transfers and consignment transactions, and more accessible VAT and Intrastat reporting.

When should plants abroad be used?

  • If a company has plant/storage/warehouse locations in multiple EU countries and the company is VAT registered in these plant/storage/warehouse location countries

  • If there are intra-company transfers of goods between plant/storage/warehouse locations or in the case of consignment stocks in multiple EU countries

  • If the countries where the company is VAT registered are using different 'tax currencies.

What do we offer?

The Key Group has developed an SAP add-on solution to activate SAP's Plants Abroad functionality in a cost-efficient way and will process optimize any future maintenance efforts. This solution is based on a set of tables and program logic, with no direct impact on the MWST condition.

Via a function module in the sales order and the invoice, the add-on influences the starting parameters for the determination of the MWST condition type. The VAT determination parameters are set right before MWST is accessed. Maintenance of the MWST condition will become less complicated, and in the tables, only exceptions are maintained.

What is an SAP add-on?

An SAP add-on enhances standard SAP itself.

Add-on components are extra functionalities that do not come with the main SAP product. Different organizations have different requirements. SAP has recognized that and facilitated that additional functionality can be added and that such functionality as a component can be integrated with standard SAP.

An add-on is permitted by SAP – the code 'ABAP' is written and transported where SAP allows it. That means these add-on components sit above the core and access the same dictionary objects or repository objects and perform the required functionality. It contains custom authorization objects according to SAP standards.

SAP add-on solutions are, therefore, without an external interface or external software and can be implemented with minor or no SAP impact in any other area. An SAP add-on does not change the programming code of SAP. As a result, SAP upgrades do not lead to any problems, and maintenance is straightforward.

Additional functionality is added to standard SAP:

'User-friendly, manageable, scalable, extendable, upgradeable, reliable, sustainable, SAP integrated, VAT compliant, audit trail'

Take aways 

Formal support and active involvement of senior management

Optimum process improvement or business transformations will not likely be realized by the sum of individual independent efforts.The risk is that individually everybody knows what needs to be done within his or her own area of expertise, but what is lacking is overall direction and thus progress.

Anticipate what users would want

We combine technical knowledge with industry understanding and knowhow of technologically advanced tools and methodologies available in the market or developed by ourselves.

What do we like to achieve

  • Focus on tax processes that could be improved
    • Manual process: same data requests are made by different stakeholders
  • As Is assessment
  • Anticipate future changes and the data needed
    • What are tax trends?
    • What is happening locally and what should be considered across jurisdictions where you operate?
    • Anticipate new stakeholders and their data needs or requests (internal and external)
  • Define scope and actions for short, mid and long term
  • Write business case for change
  • Realize sponsorship for implementation

‘As is’ assessment, actions and business case

  • What tax data is requested and by whom?
  • What tax process can be improved and what can be automated?
    • CIT, VAT, tax data warehouse
  • What is the Return on Investment?
    • Hard saving: process improvement
    • Meeting (new) tax requirement
  • What systems are in use: SAP, Oracle, etc
    • By which entities?
  • How many end-use computing tools (e.g. excel spreadsheet) do we have?
  • How do we avoid an ad-hoc solution?
    • Understand the bigger picture
    • Real problem and not the symptom

Risk and reward

Technology-related tax risk: understand and address the potential harms and benefits of (new) technology.

Technology tools & systems integration

Ascertaining proper IT support for ensuring efficient, timely and reliable reporting.

Change and project management

VAT should be considered in every aspect of the process, from concept through completion and beyond. Managing by design — looking at any process or transaction from end to end and factoring in all the requirements and controls essential to designing and optimizing a compliant VAT process.

Effective communication and teaming

We speak the language of the business and IT and no translation is needed.

Set up a project plan

  • Set up a project charter that will take effect preferable during feasibility but ultimately during design
  • Write a business case and problem statement
  • Define scope of the project
  • Define objectives and goals of the project
  • Involve stakeholders and define priorities
  • Set measurable milestones
  • Ensure that the right sponsors provide buy-in.
  • Identify (project) risks and how to manage them
  • Jointly validate and refine the project plan and develop a roadmap to success
  • Hold regular meeting to track progress of the various work streams
© KEY Group 2012-2021