Continuous Transaction Controls (CTCs) are shifting VAT review from post‑return to real‑time monitoring, driven by e‑invoicing and e‑reporting mandates across the EU. The EU requires intra‑community transactions to be e‑reported within 10 days, while Spain and Poland have tighter deadlines of 4 days and live e‑invoicing to KSeF, respectively. VATCalc offers a single tax engine that integrates VAT determination, e‑invoicing, e‑reporting and return preparation for 30+ countries.

On 13 May 2024, the CJEU ruled that contractual price adjustments in intragroup transactions are not considered a supply of services for VAT purposes, meaning such adjustments fall outside the scope of VAT. The decision applies across the EU, including Portugal and Luxembourg, and underscores the need for case‑by‑case assessment of transfer pricing adjustments. The ruling does not change VAT rates or thresholds but clarifies the treatment of these adjustments.

The EU's top court ruled that intercompany pricing adjustments between the former General Motors unit and Stellantis do not alter VAT liability, meaning the Portuguese government should not have increased the VAT bill for Stellantis. The decision clarifies that such pricing shifts are not subject to VAT adjustments.

EU finance ministers endorsed an amendment to Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 that will allow OLAF and EPPO to query Member State VAT systems, but the amendment restricts access to read‑only, case‑by‑case searches and bans bulk extraction or AI analysis. The measure is pending Parliament approval, likely in July 2026, and will be routed through VIES, CESOP and Eurofisc channels.

The European Commission’s proposed EU bill would require member states to share VAT data with anti‑fraud agencies, but Spain has raised objections over data access provisions and inconsistencies. The proposal, introduced in November, seeks to strengthen cooperation against VAT fraud, which the Commission estimates costs the EU €90 billion annually. Spain plans amendments ahead of the upcoming EU finance ministers meeting.

The article examines the ownership of the SAF‑T compliance process across European organisations, outlining the roles of tax, finance, IT, and external advisers. It highlights the challenges of multi‑country mandates and proposes a three‑layer model—accountability, operational ownership, and execution—to streamline responsibilities. The piece also notes the expanding SAF‑T requirements, such as Bulgaria’s 2026 launch, and stresses the importance of clear ownership for accurate, timely filings.

This guide explains how to design an e‑invoicing RFP that accommodates the growing number of mandates worldwide, highlighting the EU’s ViDA deadline of July 2030 for intra‑EU B2B e‑invoicing and outlining five compliance models. It offers practical steps for mapping mandates, drafting model‑specific questions, and evaluating vendors on regulatory adaptability, integration, and security.

The article reviews progress on the EU's ViDA VAT reform pillars, noting technical discussions from the 42nd VAT Expert Group and Future of VAT Group meetings. It highlights key dates such as the 13 February 2026 approval of EN16931, the 1 January 2027 effective date for Phase 1 Single VAT Registration changes, and the €10,000 threshold debate. While the Digital Reporting Requirements pillar is slated for July 2030 and the Platform Economy pillar for July 2028–January 2030, implementation details remain unsettled.

The European Commission released the minutes from its 51st Group on the Future of VAT meeting, held on 3 March 2024, which discussed the ViDA package’s e‑invoicing, digital reporting, platform economy VAT and single VAT registration provisions. Key dates include the start of OSS guidelines on single VAT registration on 1 January 2027 and several upcoming GFV/VEG meetings in mid‑2026 that will shape the final Explanatory Notes for 2027.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation and a "Reality Check" event to shape the upcoming revision of EU e-invoicing rules, including the e-invoicing directive and EN 16931 standard. The consultation runs until 10 June 2026, while the interactive event is scheduled for 27 April 2026. The Commission expects the revised directive to be adopted in Q4 2026 as part of the Single Market Strategy.

The European Commission is advancing a deemed supplier regime for ride‑and‑accommodation platforms, with a voluntary launch in July 2028 and mandatory compliance by 1 January 2030. Draft explanatory notes were issued in Q1 2026, with final notes expected in Q2 2027, and the EC will confirm member‑state conditions by 31 December 2028. The regime also revises the short‑term accommodation definition to 30 days and will be evaluated for effectiveness by 1 July 2033.

The EU has proposed a law allowing governments to temporarily reduce VAT rates to counteract price rises, particularly in fuel, and protect citizens’ standard of living. The proposal is aimed at mitigating inflationary pressures in Montenegro and has broad political support. It follows examples such as Spain’s reduction of fuel VAT from 21% to 10%.

The EU Parliament has reopened debate on the optional reverse charge mechanism, which is set to expire on 31 December 2026. While the tool has proven effective in curbing missing trader intra‑community fraud in high‑risk sectors, concerns remain about VAT distortions and the need for complementary digital reporting controls. The review signals that reverse charge will stay part of the anti‑fraud toolkit but will be increasingly paired with real‑time transaction monitoring under the ViDA framework.

EU Parliament has tabled more than 200 amendments to its draft report on a coherent tax framework for the financial sector, with VAT reform at the centre. The proposals aim to narrow the long‑standing VAT exemption for financial services, tax fee‑based B2B services, consolidate the Insurance Premium Tax into VAT, and modernise rules for neobanks, crypto and other digital financial services. A parliamentary vote is scheduled for 26 April 2026, with a vote expected in May and potential plenary adoption in June.

The European Commission will host a public workshop on 27 April 2026 to review the revision of Directive 2014/55/EU on e‑invoicing in public procurement. The event will outline potential policy measures, gather stakeholder feedback, and discuss the three policy options for the revision. The outcome will influence upcoming compliance requirements, including the ViDA reform that will mandate structured e‑invoicing for intra‑EU B2B transactions by July 2030.

The article examines how fully automated, AI‑run companies—termed zero‑person companies—challenge existing VAT rules. It explains that while such entities can perform all operational tasks, they still require a human link for legal accountability, and their place of establishment for VAT purposes is determined by where central administration effectively occurs, often defaulting to the registered office. The piece also discusses the low likelihood of fixed establishments arising solely from cloud infrastructure and outlines compliance implications for tax authorities.

The EU VAT reforms tracker outlines a comprehensive schedule of upcoming legislative and compliance changes across the EU, including new VAT registration thresholds, e-invoicing requirements, import VAT liabilities, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Key dates range from 2025 to 2035, covering digital services, e-commerce, and cross‑border trade. The tracker serves as a reference for businesses to anticipate and adapt to evolving EU VAT rules.

The European Parliament and Council have agreed on a comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Code aimed at tackling the surge in e‑commerce parcels. Key measures include a new handling fee for individual parcels from non‑EU countries, treating e‑commerce platforms as importers, a new EU Customs Authority in Lille, and a customs data hub to be mandatory by 2034.

The article outlines a CFO-focused readiness scorecard for e-invoicing, highlighting gaps in regulatory awareness, technical infrastructure, process maturity, vendor coverage, and organisational alignment. It details key mandates in Belgium, France, and Germany, and stresses the importance of early assessment to avoid penalties and lengthy implementation cycles.

Usage‑based billing for AI and SaaS services introduces VAT compliance challenges that stem from system design rather than legal ambiguity. Key issues include the timing of VAT on prepayments, the treatment of free usage, and the risk of late VAT declaration when true‑ups are billed at year‑end. The EU Court of Justice’s ruling on unused airline tickets illustrates how tax authorities view the right to service as a taxable supply.