VAT & Indirect Tax Intelligence
VAT news digest
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Spain's tax agency has released the first full technical specifications for its public e‑invoicing platform, SPFE, making the e‑invoicing mandate concrete. The rules require all invoices to be UBL format, EN 16931 2026 version, and impose strict deadlines for e‑invoicing and payment reporting across different turnover thresholds. Private platforms must also retrieve invoices, provide them to clients immediately, and hold a registered power of attorney for each client.
Today's VAT news highlights significant developments in e-invoicing regulations across the globe, with Spain and the United Kingdom making strides in implementing mandatory e-invoicing systems. Meanwhile, in other regions, the UAE is pushing forward with its e-invoice plans, while the government in a key APAC nation has withdrawn a proposed VAT package for small businesses. These updates underscore the evolving landscape of tax compliance and digital invoicing requirements for businesses worldwide.
Today's VAT news highlights significant developments in electronic invoicing, with countries such as Norway and Saudi Arabia implementing mandatory e-invoicing regimes. Additionally, updates on ERP e-invoicing integration and customs intermediary registration requirements are also featured, showcasing the increasingly complex and technologically-driven landscape of global tax compliance. These changes underscore the need for businesses to stay informed and adapt to evolving tax regulations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
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UK confirms Peppol as the core interoperability network for e‑invoicing, with a mandatory e‑invoicing requirement for all VAT invoices set to take effect in 2029. The policy paper "Tax Update 2026" announced Peppol as the core network, and NHS Supply Chain suppliers already use Peppol. Stakeholders can now plan system readiness ahead of the 2029 mandate.
Romania has updated its RO e‑Factura e‑invoicing rules with Law No. 88/2026, effective 29 May 2026. The amendment clarifies B2C treatment, introduces a 13‑zero substitute code for invoices to private individuals without a tax ID, and removes the mandatory transmission requirement unless the customer opts into the optional register. Taxpayers can also deregister from mandatory or optional registers, effective the month after the request.
Michigan imposes a 6% base sales tax with no local taxes, and remote sellers must register if they exceed $100,000 in annual sales or 200 transactions. Late filing penalties start at 5% per month plus interest, and filing frequency is determined by the state. The state is destination‑based, and SaaS is exempt from sales tax.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the 2026 VAT registration thresholds for 12 major European markets, highlighting key changes such as the UK’s increase to £90,000 on 1 April 2024 and Austria’s rise to €42,000. It explains the different threshold structures—universal, sector‑split, and zero—across countries, and outlines the EU One‑Stop Shop (OSS) and Import OSS (IOSS) schemes for cross‑border e‑commerce. The guide serves as a practical reference for businesses planning compliance in 2026.
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has abolished its dedicated VAT audit units under RAO 4-2026, effective June 1, 2026, integrating audit functions into existing offices. The reform introduces a single-instance audit framework, issuing only one LOA per taxpayer per taxable year, and a verification system to prevent fake or unauthorized LOAs.
France’s e‑invoicing and e‑reporting mandate takes effect on 1 September 2026. Businesses face €50 fines per non‑compliant invoice, escalating penalties for failing to receive e‑invoices, and €500 per missing e‑reporting transmission capped at €15 000 annually. The tax authority will focus on evidence of compliance efforts rather than automatic enforcement from day one.
This blog explains how major ERP platforms integrate with global e‑invoicing mandates, outlining three integration patterns—native compliance modules, middleware layers, and certified access points—and five compliance models ranging from decentralised Peppol to real‑time reporting. It details the technical formats (UBL, CII, national XML/JSON), transmission channels (Peppol, government platforms, direct APIs), and country‑specific requirements for vendors such as SAP, Oracle, Dynamics 365 and NetSuite.
Norway’s Finance Ministry has moved the mandatory B2B e‑invoicing deadline forward to 1 January 2027, requiring all bookkeeping‑registered businesses to send invoices in the EHF format. From 1 January 2030, all such entities must also use an electronic accounting system that automatically receives and processes e‑invoices. The change applies to both domestic and foreign entities registered under Norwegian bookkeeping law.
The UK government is consulting on mandatory registration for customs intermediaries who submit customs declarations on behalf of traders. The consultation seeks views on scope, mandatory requirements, enforcement, and implementation. Responses are due by 21 September 2026.
Saudi Arabia’s e-invoicing regime is fully live, requiring all VAT‑registered businesses to issue invoices through a compliant Electronic Generation Solution (EGS) connected to the Fatoora platform. In 2026, two SME‑scale integration waves—Wave 23 and Wave 24—will bring additional businesses into the real‑time clearance system, with deadlines of 31 March 2026 and 30 June 2026 respectively, while the penalty‑waiver initiative expires on 30 June 2026.
A Milan Tax Court decision on 20 January 2026 clarified that direct sales made under consignment agreements are not subject to Italy’s Digital Services Tax (DST). The ruling confirms that the 3% DST applies only to digital intermediation activities and that companies meeting the turnover thresholds are liable. The court also upheld a refund claim for over‑EUR 1 million of over‑paid DST for the 2020‑2022 period.
The Russian State Duma approved a bill that temporarily freezes the VAT exemption threshold for small businesses on the simplified tax system at 20 million rubles through 2029. The threshold will then fall to 15 million rubles in 2029 and 10 million rubles in 2030, while businesses using the patent tax system remain unaffected.
UK guidance on customs procedures for goods moved into the UK for international events. It covers Temporary Admission, ATA Carnet, and import duty reliefs, including application timelines, duration limits, and applicable Additional Procedure Codes (APCs).
