12.1.2013
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 9/21
Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of 15 November 2012 (reference for a preliminary ruling from the Oberlandesgericht Köln — Germany) — Susanne Leichenich v Ansbert Peffekoven, Ingo Horeis
(Case C-532/11) (1)
(Directive 77/388/EEC - VAT - Exemptions - Article 13B(b) - Leasing or letting of immovable property - Houseboat, without a system of propulsion, permanently attached alongside a riverbank - Leasing of the houseboat, including the landing stage, the plot of land and the area of water contiguous therewith - Exclusive use for the permanent operation of a restaurant-discotheque - Single supply)
2013/C 9/33
Language of the case: German
Referring court
Oberlandesgericht Köln
Parties to the main proceedings
Applicant: Susanne Leichenich
Defendant: Ansbert Peffekoven, Ingo Horeis,
Interveners in support of the defendants: Dr. Leyh, Dr. Kossow & Dr. Ott KG, Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Steuerberatungsgesellschaft
Re:
Reference for a preliminary ruling — Oberlandesgericht Köln — Interpretation of Article 13(B)(b) of the Sixth Directive 77/388/EEC on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes — Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment (OJ 1977 L 145, p. 1) — Scope of the VAT exemption provided for under that provision for the leasing or letting of immovable property — Leasing of an area of water and a boat intended for commercial use as a restaurant and nightclub
Operative part of the judgment
1.
On a proper interpretation of Article 13B(b) of the Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes — Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment, the concept of the leasing or letting of immovable property includes the leasing of a houseboat, including the space and the landing stage contiguous therewith, which is fixed by attachments which are not easily removable to the bank and bed of a river, stays in a demarcated and identifiable location in the river water and is exclusively used, according to the terms of the leasing contract, for the permanent operation of a restaurant-discotheque at that location. That leasing constitutes a single exempt supply, without it being necessary to distinguish between the leasing of the houseboat and that of the landing stage.
2.
Such a houseboat does not constitute a vehicle within the meaning of Article 13B(b), point 2, of the Sixth Directive 77/388.
(1) OJ C 25, 28.1.2012.
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