VAT news & updates
across 150+ countries.

UAE: The Ministry of Finance extends the Accredited Service Provider appointment deadline to 30 October 2026 while keeping the 1 January 2027 e-invoicing go-live date. Botswana will apply VAT to remote digital services from 1 June 2026, impose reverse charge on government entities and large unregistered businesses, and require electronic fiscal devices for all registrants. Germany is consulting a change to its VAT grouping rules that would take effect from 2029, replacing automatic Organschaft with a declaration requirement.

Philippines: The Court of Tax Appeals upheld the denial of Zuellig Pharma Asia Pacific Ltd's P59.81-million VAT refund claim after finding the company failed to meet documentary requirements. The court ruled that the lack of certificates of inward remittance for P2.88 million of zero-rated sales and non-compliant official receipts made the claim fatal.

Philippines: Deloitte Philippines highlights that e-invoicing could curb corruption by improving tax transaction transparency, but notes the government’s limited tech capacity and lack of clear guidance as key challenges. Revenue Regulations No. 11-2025 set a March 2026 deadline for covered taxpayers to issue electronic invoices, later extended to 31 December 2026 by RR No. 26-2025.

India's Delhi government has reduced the VAT on aviation turbine fuel from 25% to 7%. The concessional rate will apply for six months, starting from 19 April 2026.

The article summarises recent VAT and customs duty changes across the EU, UK, Poland, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Nigeria, Gibraltar, Argentina and Ireland.

India: The Gauhati High Court has ruled that Hawkins Cookers Ltd. must pay an additional 8.5% VAT on the original sale price of pressure cookers, confirming the 12.5% rate applied before 2010. The court rejected the company's attempt to compute the differential tax on a reduced sale price after excluding previously collected 4% VAT.

The Gambia The Gambia Revenue Authority has approved an electronic invoicing system for VAT and other taxes, effective from 22 June 2026. The system aims to improve compliance and modernise tax administration as part of the government's digitalisation agenda.

Denmark: The European General Court issued a preliminary ruling on 15 July 2026, stating that EU Directive 2006/112 precludes Danish national law requiring 100% ownership for VAT exempt or non-economic activities in VAT group registration. The ruling affects Danish insurance companies seeking VAT group registration with management companies holding less than full ownership.

India's GST framework allows businesses to claim Input Tax Credit on hotel accommodation when the stay is for business purposes. Eligibility depends on valid tax invoices, GST paid, and compliance with CGST Act sections 16 and 17(5). A minimum room rate of 7500 is required for ITC eligibility.

Latvia's Administrative Regional Court upheld a VAT refund of EUR 143,844 for German firm Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH, ruling that a refund cannot be denied solely on the assumption of foreign business activity without evidence of taxable transactions. The decision also clarified the distinction between a permanent establishment for corporate income tax and a fixed establishment for VAT in Latvia.

The UK’s HMRC announced several VAT developments in July 2026, including changes to the Capital Goods Scheme, digitisation of option to tax, a consultation on development land for social housing, and the adoption of Peppol for e-invoicing. From 29 July 2026, the CGS threshold for land, buildings and civil engineering works rises to £600,000 and computers are removed from the scheme, while a new online portal for option to tax will launch before year end.

UAE: The Ministry of Finance has extended the deadline for appointing an Accredited Service Provider to 30 October 2026, while the e-invoicing go-live date remains 1 January 2027. Businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must now plan for ASP selection and onboarding before the new deadline.