Limassol – Local VAT experts, Chelco VAT Ltd, celebrated on Friday, 28 June 2024 their 10-year anniversary with a high-level Forum and a cocktail party in Limassol.

Held at Columbia Plaza, the VAT Forum was first addressed by the Founder and Managing Director of Chelco VAT, Alexis Tsielepis, who in his signature red suit that matched his company’s colours welcomed participants and panelists before calling to the stage renowned VAT expert, Prof. Dr. David Hummel, to deliver his keynote speech.

Prof. Dr. Hummel, a Professor at the University of Leipzig and Legal Secretary (Référendaire) at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in the Chambers of Advocate General, Juliane Kokott, offered an inside look into the workings of the CJEU, analysed how to read decisions of the court and presented ways on how the Cyprus Tax Tribunal and the Cyprus Courts can benefit from appealing to the CJEU for various dispute resolutions on VAT.

He then led a high-level panel discussion on the issue, moderated by Tsielepis and flanked by panelists, Demetra Constantinou of Kinanis LLC, Constantinos Adamides, of Scordis, Papapetrou & Co LLC and Angelos Onisiforou of Patrikios Legal.

The experts discussed why national courts are hesitant at first about referring matters to the CJEU, the benefits of seeking assistance on VAT disputes from Europe, the level of competency of Cyprus courts in interpreting VAT Law and the fact that Cyprus has never referred a VAT case to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling. They also touched upon the importance and impact of the Tax Tribunal in Cyprus.

The Forum, which took place from 3pm to 6pm, was followed by a cocktail party at Columbia Plaza’s 7Seas from 6.30pm to 9pm, set off by a welcoming speech by Alexis Tsielepis and the customary cutting of the 10-year anniversary cake by the Chelco VAT professional team, namely Director and Partner in the firm, Panayiotis Iona, VAT Advisory Officer, Marios Nicolaidis and VAT Compliance Officer, Yiannis Christofi.

Guests then wound down with signature VAT cocktails, bespoke delicacies and the jazzy tunes of Erika Soteriou.

Chelco VAT Ltd started its operations in 2014 and is now widely considered as the foremost authority on indirect tax matters on the island.

In 2016, the firm launched its educational arm, the Chelco VAT International Academy, delivering high-end courses on VAT in Cyprus and abroad.