VAT & Indirect Tax Intelligence
VAT news digest
Curated from global sources. Twice-weekly digest, free.
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.
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.
Today's VAT news focuses on key developments in Europe, including updates on Portugal's VAT grouping regime, EU customs duty on low-value imports, and Poland's VAT warehouses. Additionally, the EU's e-commerce reform clearance operating model is under scrutiny. Meanwhile, in APAC, a notable court decision has been made regarding a VAT refund claim in Switzerland.
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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.
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).
HMRC has confirmed that Peppol will be the core e‑invoicing network in the UK, with a mandate set for 2029. The decentralised model will allow businesses to exchange invoices directly through their software providers, and real‑time reporting will be considered later. Technical standards and a roadmap are expected at Budget 2026.
Egypt's parliament approved amendments to the VAT law, cutting the VAT rate on medical devices to 5% and introducing a schedule tax on natural gas. The changes also reduce the refund period for credit balances, extend the suspension period for VAT payments on machinery and equipment, and provide faster refunds for certain small enterprises. The law will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Vertex Inc. highlights how continuous transaction controls (CTCs) shift tax compliance into real-time, exposing risks from misaligned IT, tax, and finance functions. The article outlines upcoming EU e‑invoicing mandates—Belgium 2026, Slovakia 2027, France 2026, Poland 2026, Germany phased rollout—and stresses the need for cross‑functional collaboration to meet real‑time reporting requirements.
EASProject explains that from 1 July 2026 EU orders up to €150 imported from outside the EU will incur a temporary €3 customs duty. Sellers must register for the Import One‑Stop Shop (IOSS) to collect VAT at checkout, handle the duty, and automate monthly reporting. The duty remains until 1 July 2028, after which a new customs reform will replace it.
The UK government is consulting on extending online marketplace VAT liability to domestic sellers, requiring marketplaces to collect and remit VAT on sales by UK-based sellers when goods are situated in the UK at the point of sale. The consultation runs from 23 June to 18 August 2026 and aims to reduce non‑compliance and level the playing field for VAT‑compliant sellers.
Crowe Poland outlines a draft amendment to the Polish VAT Act that proposes a mix of simplifications and tightening measures. Key proposals include a new VAT warehouse system, extended VAT payer list verification, elimination of certain reporting obligations, and changes to the TAX FREE system and goods classification. The draft also introduces tighter controls such as extended buyer liability and revised cash register rules.
Portugal’s new VAT grouping regime, effective from July 1 2026, introduces stricter eligibility criteria than other EU members, requiring a dominant entity to hold at least 75 % of share capital and 50 % of voting rights, and limiting participation to entities with a Portuguese head office that carry out deductible activities. The regime does not neutralise intra‑group supplies and may exclude financial and insurance groups with predominantly exempt activities.
EU Commission clarified how VAT should be applied to the new €3 customs duty on low-value imports. The duty, effective 1 July 2026, is exempt from VAT for IOSS users but taxable for Special Arrangements and standard imports. A separate €2 handling fee, expected before November 2026, will be outside VAT.
Poland has introduced a new VAT warehouse regime effective 2026, allowing non‑resident businesses to defer VAT on goods stored in authorised warehouses and maintain 0% VAT treatment while goods remain in the facility. The regime requires compliance with KSeF e‑invoicing, registration for Polish VAT, and strict documentation. KSeF e‑invoicing rollout completed for most businesses on 1 April 2026.
