Curated from 50+ official sources. Twice-weekly digest, free.
Greek tax authorities have introduced a new framework that will reassess fines issued from 19 April 2024, cutting penalties by up to 80% and setting a standard €100 fine for late or missing filings that do not create a tax liability. The reform also eliminates the €250/€500 penalties for low‑value withholding tax declarations and removes fines for cases where the additional tax payable is below €100.
Greek VAT update: The omnibus tax bill tabled on 1 May 2026 introduces immediate tightening of the reverse charge for construction services, reduces the VAT rate on electricity transmission services to 6 %, and retroactively lowers penalties for nil and credit VAT returns and late withholding filings back to April 2024. Volume‑based rebate clarifications also take effect immediately. All changes are expected to apply from publication in the Official Gazette, with updates reflected instantly in invoices, VAT returns and e‑invoicing.
Greek tax authorities have introduced a new framework that will reassess fines issued from 19 April 2024, cutting penalties by up to 80% and setting a standard €100 fine for late or missing filings that do not create a tax liability. The reform also eliminates the €250/€500 penalties for low‑value withholding tax declarations and removes fines for cases where the additional tax payable is below €100.
Greek VAT update: The omnibus tax bill tabled on 1 May 2026 introduces immediate tightening of the reverse charge for construction services, reduces the VAT rate on electricity transmission services to 6 %, and retroactively lowers penalties for nil and credit VAT returns and late withholding filings back to April 2024. Volume‑based rebate clarifications also take effect immediately. All changes are expected to apply from publication in the Official Gazette, with updates reflected instantly in invoices, VAT returns and e‑invoicing.
Today's VAT news highlights key developments in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with Poland considering a fuel VAT reduction to combat inflation. Meanwhile, the Kenya Revenue Authority is enhancing its VAT refund claim process through data integration, and Oman is introducing e-invoicing requirements, known as Fawtara, which will impact businesses operating in the region. These updates underscore the ongoing efforts of governments worldwide to refine their VAT systems and tackle fiscal challenges.
Today's VAT news highlights key developments in international tax compliance, with a focus on e-invoicing mandates and best practices in the Middle East and Europe. Additionally, updates from Africa include changes to VAT registration certificate validity in Egypt and new return rules for exporters in Kenya. These articles provide essential guidance for businesses navigating complex and evolving VAT landscapes worldwide.
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Grenada will introduce a 10% VAT on digital services supplied by non‑resident platforms, SaaS, streaming, cloud computing, e‑learning and online advertising, effective 2027. The law includes a deemed‑supplier regime for electronic marketplaces, a B2B reverse charge, and requires B2C non‑resident suppliers to register and charge VAT. A six‑month transition period is expected after approval, with no current implementation date.
HMRC has launched new VAT road fuel scale charges for petrol and diesel drivers in the UK, effective from 1 May 2026 and lasting until 30 April 2027. The charges vary by CO₂ emissions band, ranging from £657 for low‑emission vehicles to £2,297 for high‑emission ones over a 12‑month period. Drivers can account for the charges annually, quarterly or monthly and must calculate the applicable rate for each period.
Indonesia has introduced a VAT cut on domestic flights, exempting economy class tickets for purchases and flights within 60 days of the regulation's enactment. The measure, effective 25 April 2026, caps fare increases at 9‑13% and will make domestic airfares effectively VAT‑free from mid‑June. The policy aims to support the aviation sector amid rising fuel costs.
Poland has extended the reduced VAT rate for specified fuel products until 15 May 2026. Regulation No. 573, published on 27 April, amends the application period and enters into force on 30 April 2026.
Poland has reduced the fuel VAT rate from 21% to 8% effective 31 March 2026, with the cut extended until at least 15 May 2026. Parliament approved the changes on 30 March, to be implemented by 6 April. The move follows earlier 2022 inflation cuts and is part of a broader strategy to curb fuel price inflation amid the Iran conflict.
Kenya Revenue Authority will automatically link export records from the customs platform iCMS to VAT returns in iTax starting May 2026, requiring exporters to have verified export values linked to their PIN and valid electronic tax invoices. This eliminates manual zero‑rated sales declaration, blocks unsupported refund claims at source, and extends oversight to services exports prefilled via electronic invoices.
Brazil has enacted Decree No. 12,955, establishing a federal Contribution on Goods and Services (CBS) for digital services. The decree imposes destination‑based taxation on non‑resident suppliers, requiring registration and tax collection on B2C sales, while B2B transactions are subject to reverse charge. Platforms that facilitate services become deemed suppliers, responsible for collecting and remitting CBS.
Greek VAT update: The omnibus tax bill tabled on 1 May 2026 introduces immediate tightening of the reverse charge for construction services, reduces the VAT rate on electricity transmission services to 6 %, and retroactively lowers penalties for nil and credit VAT returns and late withholding filings back to April 2024. Volume‑based rebate clarifications also take effect immediately. All changes are expected to apply from publication in the Official Gazette, with updates reflected instantly in invoices, VAT returns and e‑invoicing.
ZUGFeRD 2.5 will be released on 20 May 2026 for Germany and France, adding native support for gross invoicing and aligning with the latest EN 16931 code lists. The update also expands reference templates for construction, leasing, reverse charge and simplified invoices, and reinforces cross‑border participation through an English version of the ZR framework.
Kenya Revenue Authority will automatically link export records from the customs platform iCMS to VAT returns in iTax starting May 2026, requiring exporters to have verified export values linked to their PIN and valid electronic tax invoices. This eliminates manual zero‑rated sales declaration, blocks unsupported refund claims at source, and extends oversight to services exports prefilled via electronic invoices.
Brazil has enacted Decree No. 12,955, establishing a federal Contribution on Goods and Services (CBS) for digital services. The decree imposes destination‑based taxation on non‑resident suppliers, requiring registration and tax collection on B2C sales, while B2B transactions are subject to reverse charge. Platforms that facilitate services become deemed suppliers, responsible for collecting and remitting CBS.
ZUGFeRD 2.5 will be released on 20 May 2026 for Germany and France, adding native support for gross invoicing and aligning with the latest EN 16931 code lists. The update also expands reference templates for construction, leasing, reverse charge and simplified invoices, and reinforces cross‑border participation through an English version of the ZR framework.
Grenada will introduce a 10% VAT on digital services supplied by non‑resident platforms, SaaS, streaming, cloud computing, e‑learning and online advertising, effective 2027. The law includes a deemed‑supplier regime for electronic marketplaces, a B2B reverse charge, and requires B2C non‑resident suppliers to register and charge VAT. A six‑month transition period is expected after approval, with no current implementation date.
Greek VAT update: The omnibus tax bill tabled on 1 May 2026 introduces immediate tightening of the reverse charge for construction services, reduces the VAT rate on electricity transmission services to 6 %, and retroactively lowers penalties for nil and credit VAT returns and late withholding filings back to April 2024. Volume‑based rebate clarifications also take effect immediately. All changes are expected to apply from publication in the Official Gazette, with updates reflected instantly in invoices, VAT returns and e‑invoicing.
Brazil has enacted Decree No. 12,955, establishing a federal Contribution on Goods and Services (CBS) for digital services. The decree imposes destination‑based taxation on non‑resident suppliers, requiring registration and tax collection on B2C sales, while B2B transactions are subject to reverse charge. Platforms that facilitate services become deemed suppliers, responsible for collecting and remitting CBS.
HMRC has announced new VAT road fuel scale charges for petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK, effective from 1 May 2026 and lasting until 30 April 2027. The charges vary by CO2 emissions and accounting period, with specific rates for 12‑month, 3‑month and 1‑month periods. Businesses must adopt the new scales from the next prescribed accounting period beginning on or after 1 May 2026.
Today's VAT news focuses on key developments in Europe, including updates on the tax treatment of exchange transactions and the ongoing harmonization of EU VAT rules in the digital age. Additionally, several countries are implementing changes to VAT payment procedures, such as deferred payments for importers in Russia and updates to electronic invoicing standards in Germany. These changes highlight the evolving landscape of VAT regulations across the European region.
