What scope does the value-added tax cover during production?

The value-added tax (VAT) is designed to be levied on the value added at each stage of production and distribution. This means that during the production process, VAT is applied to the incremental value that is added to goods at each phase, such as transformation, assembly, or enhancement.

For example, when raw materials are converted into a finished product, the value increased by the labor, manufacturing, and overhead costs incurred during production is subject to VAT. This cumulative approach helps ensure that every stage of production contributes to the tax base, making it reflective of the true economic activity involved in creating a product.

This method distinguishes VAT from taxes that only apply at the final sale, focusing instead on the total added value throughout the entire supply chain, thus, enabling effective tracking and accounting of the taxes accrued at each level of production.