Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has urged the Indian government to reassess the 5% GST applied to ride‑hailing services, arguing it harms driver income and consumer affordability. IAMAI calls for exemptions for SaaS‑based mobility services and highlights confusion from contradictory state rulings. The association seeks dialogue with the GST Council and Finance Ministry to create a more sustainable framework for the sector.

India’s GST law imposes a 5% tax on ride‑hailing services, but the SaaS model used by aggregators creates ambiguity under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act. IAMAI has urged a review of the tax’s applicability, while Karnataka has exempted subscription‑based platforms such as Namma Yatri. The dispute raises uncertainty for aggregators, potentially leading to unexpected liabilities and affecting driver earnings and consumer affordability.

Chile’s Internal Revenue Service (SII) will shift VAT collection from non‑resident sellers to Chilean financial institutions starting 1 June 2026, imposing a 19 % withholding rate on eligible transactions. The first list of non‑compliant digital VAT taxpayers will be published 15 June 2026, with financial institutions required to file monthly Form 29 and a semiannual report by the last business day of February 2027.

South Africa’s 2026 Budget will focus on whether VAT can keep pace with a digitised economy rather than on rate hikes. A proposed two‑percentage‑point increase was tabled and rejected in 2025, and the Finance Minister confirmed that VAT rate increases for 2025/26 and 2026/27 have been dropped. The Treasury is examining how digital services supplied by foreign providers are taxed and whether the current framework captures modern consumption.

The Uruguayan General Directorate of Taxation issued Consultation No. 6763 on Feb. 4, clarifying that bulldozers are not exempt from VAT under Resolution No. 305/979. The guidance confirms that bulldozers, classified as tractors, are not considered agricultural machinery for VAT exemption purposes, even when used exclusively in forestry activities.

Cameroon’s 2026 Finance Law introduces a real‑time VAT e‑invoicing regime that will require all taxpayers to use approved electronic invoicing solutions. The new mandate builds on the 2024 Finance Law’s electronic tracking requirements for selected sectors and aims to shift tax control from post‑filing audit to transaction‑level visibility.

The HMRC internal manual outlines the rules and procedures for calculating and managing default interest on VAT arrears. It covers legal powers, calculation methods, interest adjustments, and circumstances affecting default interest, providing guidance for HMRC staff and taxpayers.

The Ivorian tax authority released the annex to the 2026 Finance Law, introducing several tax changes. Measures include extending a 7.5% withholding tax on non‑commercial profits for certain non‑salaried participants, eliminating VAT exemptions for oil exploration, agriculture, manufacturing and packaging and applying the standard 18% VAT rate, raising the tourism development tax to 2.5% from 1.5%, imposing a tax on foreign digital service platforms without a physical presence, and reducing the property tax to 13% from 15%.

On Feb. 2, 2026 the Philippine Court of Tax Appeals ruled that renewable‑energy developers registered with the Department of Energy may zero‑rate purchases and claim input VAT refunds on zero‑rated sales of fuel or power from renewable sources, provided they satisfy substantiation and invoicing requirements. The decision clarified that the Commissioner’s earlier denial was due to missing documentation.

Canada’s Parliament fast‑tracked legislation to boost the GST credit over six years at a cost of $12.4 billion, targeting low‑ and moderate‑income households. The credit will rise 50 % in 2024 and then increase by 25 % each year from July 2025, with a family of four eligible for up to $1,890 in 2026. The editorial critiques the lack of funding plans and the long‑term impact on the deficit.

Chinese authorities have advanced the timing of VAT payments for firms that collect money before delivering services, requiring tax on the full amount received earlier. The change may push businesses over the CNY5 million threshold, forcing a switch to general VAT taxpayer status.

China’s 2026 tax reform will keep domestic service enterprises exempt from VAT and introduce several other incentives. The policy also allows social insurance contributions to be deducted from taxable income, offers preferential corporate income tax rates for eligible firms, and provides personal income tax deductions to spur household demand.

The Chinese Ministry of Finance issued Announcement No. 9/2026 on January 31, 2026, defining the goods and services subject to the 9% VAT rate. The policy lists a wide range of agricultural products, utilities, media, and real estate transactions that will be taxed at this rate.

This article explains the distinct roles of VAT returns, VIES, OSS, and Intrastat in Bulgaria and the EU, highlighting that each serves a different purpose—tax calculation, B2B reporting, B2C cross‑border sales, and statistical monitoring. It notes key changes effective from 2026, including euro adoption for VAT communications and the gradual introduction of SAF‑T. Understanding these differences helps businesses avoid compliance errors and audit risks.

EY highlights forthcoming changes to Belgian VAT rates, with particular emphasis on the food, entertainment and hospitality sectors. The commentary outlines the sectors that will be most affected but does not provide specific rate adjustments or implementation dates.

Mexico has enacted a tax reform that removes VAT creditability for insurers on direct payments for goods and services used to settle insurance claims. The reform, effective 1 January 2026 and retroactive to the 2025 fiscal year, turns VAT into a non‑recoverable cost, potentially raising premiums by 8‑10% for medical and auto insurance. Insurers must adjust their claim settlement and pricing strategies accordingly.

Latvia's parliament has accepted Bill No. 1206 for consideration, which proposes reducing the VAT rate on firewood and thermal energy for household use from 12% to 5% between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2026. The bill also requires that invoices issued at the 12% rate during that period be corrected by the law’s entry‑into‑force date.

The UK First‑Tier Tax Tribunal issued a judgment on 26 January 2026 clarifying the eligibility of input VAT deductions in cases involving fraud. The tribunal upheld HMRC’s denial of deductions for payments to four payroll service providers, finding that the taxpayers knew the transactions were connected to VAT fraud. The decision reinforces that knowledge of fraud can lead to denial of input VAT recovery.

Brazil will roll out an intelligent split payment system for VAT starting 1 January 2026 to curb fraud. Pilot testing begins on 6 April 2026, with the production version following on 4 April. The mechanism requires payment service providers to verify supplier VAT credits before transferring funds, and buyers can only claim credits after the supplier has paid the tax.

The UK First Tier Tribunal ruled that payments under VPAG, PPRS and similar schemes are post‑supply price reductions, meaning the VAT originally paid was too high. The Upper Tribunal hearing is set for 9–11 February 2026, with a decision expected shortly after, potentially unlocking up to £2.5 billion in VAT reclaims for pharma and healthcare businesses. Companies can adjust VAT back up to four years by filing protective claims now.