IT Tools Used to Reduce the VAT Loophole– JPK_VAT, STIR, Split Payment Mechanism

Tax leakage is a challenge for fiscal organs in many countries which make use of the Value Added Tax (VAT) in their tax system. It is a widespread phenomenon also in Poland. In order to reduce the so called tax loopholes or gaps it is necessary to implement changes in the legal system which will allow to conduct data analysis through information technologies using control algorithms. When it comes to Poland, such analyses can be conducted thanks to the following tools: VAT Standard Audit File for Tax (SAF-T) – in Poland referred to as JPK_VAT file, STIR - the teleinformation system of KIR – the key entity of the Polish payment infrastructure, and the VAT split payment mechanism. The aim of the paper is to present the estimated value of the VAT loophole in Poland and other EU member states in the period 2015–2016, and to point to steps which aim at reducing the size of the gap through application of IT tools.