Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana raised South Africa’s VAT registration threshold from R1 million to R2.3 million in the 2026 budget speech, easing compliance burdens for SMBs and encouraging digital growth. The move removes a key growth constraint and signals a broader push toward digitalisation and innovation.

Bloomberg Tax’s commentary examines the European Commission’s proposal to grant EU anti‑fraud bodies access to national VAT data, a move aimed at closing the €128 billion annual VAT gap. The article highlights the debate over jurisdiction and the balance between cross‑border enforcement and national sovereignty.

Since VAT was imposed on school fees, UK schools have struggled with partial exemption calculations, especially with fees in advance. The article explains that schools should apply the Standard Method Override when the difference exceeds £50,000, complete capital goods scheme adjustments six months after the year‑end, and that HMRC is now probing fees in advance and may inspect returns in person within 12‑18 months.

A UK tribunal ruled that community public charging supplies qualify for the 5% reduced VAT rate under the de minimis provision, overturning HMRC's earlier 20% requirement. The ruling applies to supplies below 1,000 kWh per month per customer at each location and is limited to operators meeting the community‑based model. The decision could influence VAT treatment for other public charging operators.

Namibia’s 2026/27 Budget confirms a mandatory e-invoicing regime for VAT‑registered businesses, with a likely launch in 2028 or later. The system will be a real‑time clearance model integrated with the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), initially covering B2B transactions and potentially expanding to B2C retail. The current VAT rate remains 15%.

The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal challenging the 20% VAT on private school fees, upholding the Treasury’s position that the measure is lawful and necessary. The policy, which took effect on 1 January 2025, was defended as essential to avoid serious detrimental consequences for low‑cost private schools. The High Court had previously dismissed the challenge in June 2025.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has announced a phased rollout of e-invoice data reporting via its InvoiceNow network, based on the Peppol standard. The schedule requires domestic-only businesses to adopt the system from 1 April 2026, with subsequent deadlines for new and existing GST registrants up to 2031. The move also confirms the adoption of Peppol for B2G transactions, expanding the platform’s use for cross‑border invoicing.

The EU is set to overhaul its e‑commerce customs regime, abolishing the <EUR 150 exemption on July 1 2026 and replacing it with a flat EUR 3 fee per product. From November 1 2026 a EUR 2 handling fee will apply to all distance‑sale goods, while platforms will become deemed importers responsible for duties, VAT and compliance. A new customs data hub is slated for 2028 and dedicated e‑commerce warehouses are encouraged to mitigate the impact.

The LinkedIn post explains Spain’s Modelo 349, an informative declaration for intra‑community transactions with EU VAT‑registered entities. It outlines filing frequencies, deadlines, key compliance risks, and the types of transactions that must be reported. The post emphasizes that Modelo 349 does not generate a tax payment and stresses accurate reporting to avoid audits.

Zampa Partners is hosting a conference on 25 March to explore how evolving financial services models, such as fintech and embedded finance, challenge traditional VAT positions. The event will feature panels on VAT exemptions, case law, and practical compliance strategies, and is accredited for 3.75 hours of CPE by the Malta Institute of Accountants.

On 12 February 2026, Italy’s Revenue Agency aligned its VAT rules with EU law, allowing special purpose vehicles in merger‑leveraged buyouts to deduct input VAT on transaction costs. Resolution No. 7/2026 confirms these SPVs as VAT‑taxable entities, following Supreme Court rulings in August 2024 that recognised their preparatory role. The change restores VAT neutrality and opens a refund window for historical VAT leakage.

South Africa’s 2026 Budget lifts the VAT registration threshold from R1 million to R2.3 million, easing compliance for small businesses. The announcement also notes a 21‑cent per litre increase in fuel levies, while the threshold had remained frozen for fifteen years. The move is seen as a relief for SMEs but is framed within broader fiscal and infrastructure challenges.

The Swedish Parliament approved a temporary cut of the food VAT rate from 12% to 6% effective 1 April 2026 until 31 December 2027. A food commission will monitor supermarket prices to ensure savings are passed on, and the measure is part of a broader economic package that includes increased housing allowances for low‑income families.

Croatia has extended its VAT reduction on heating and gas until 31 March 2027. The heating VAT remains at 5% (down from 25%) and gas VAT is temporarily cut to 5% before returning to 13%. The cuts cost about €289 million.

Singapore’s 2026 budget introduces a requirement for all GST‑registered businesses to submit digital invoices via the InvoiceNow e‑invoicing network by April 2031. The government will roll out free InvoiceNow‑Ready software and cash grants up to S$5,000 to support the transition, prioritising smaller firms. Since Nov 1 2025, newly incorporated GST‑registered companies have already been required to transmit invoice data through InvoiceNow.

Singapore’s tax authority IRAS has announced that all GST‑registered businesses must transmit invoice data via the InvoiceNow e‑invoicing network, with phased implementation dates from 2025 to 2031. The requirement applies to voluntary and compulsory registrants based on incorporation date and annual supply thresholds, while overseas entities and reverse‑charge‑only businesses are exempt. Businesses can adopt InvoiceNow‑Ready solutions, free‑of‑charge packages, or IMDA‑accredited access points to comply.

Mexico amended its Federal Revenue Law on 7 November 2025, removing the ability to recover 16% VAT on goods and services used in major medical insurance claims. The change is retroactive from 1 January 2025 and is expected to raise major medical costs by 10‑12%, potentially increasing loss ratios by 8‑12% and overall captive costs by over 20%. WTW recommends early engagement and scenario analysis to manage the impact.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sought to double the VAT exemption for personal online imports to $150, but lawmakers rejected the proposal. He subsequently signed an order raising the exemption to $130, a move that has been appealed to Israel's top court. The change affects the VAT treatment of online purchases by Israeli consumers.

The Supreme Court of India ruled that Rooh Afza is a fruit drink under the Uttar Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, removing it from the residual category that had subjected it to a 12.5% VAT rate. The decision places the product under Entry 103 of Schedule II Part A, which historically attracted a 4% VAT rate for the assessment period 2008‑2012. The ruling emphasizes that tax classification must be based on statutory language, not food safety definitions.

Crowe UK outlines five key VAT and tax risks and opportunities for hospice charities, covering corporation tax on non‑primary purpose trading, Gift Aid compliance, fundraising event exemptions, building project VAT relief, and upcoming investment rules effective April 2026. The article highlights practical compliance steps and recent court rulings that may affect hospice operations.