Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

The article explains how Polish tax law requires recording purchases of commercial goods immediately upon receipt, and outlines procedures when goods are received before the invoice, including preparing a detailed description and attaching it to the invoice if received in the same month. It also notes the deadline for entries (20th of each month) and the conditions under which entries can be delayed until invoice receipt.

The Polish Ministry of Finance introduced a new regulation effective 1 January 2026 that changes how purchases are recorded in the tax books. If goods are delivered before the invoice is received, a detailed description must be prepared, but the entry is made on the invoice issue date, not the description date. Guidance is available in the Eureka system under reference numbers 670629 and 671795.

China’s Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration announced that from 1 April 2026, VAT export rebates for e‑cigarette products will be cancelled. The change also reduces battery product rebate rates and eventually cancels them, requiring exporters to adjust customs declarations accordingly.

China will eliminate VAT export rebates for photovoltaic products from April 1, 2026, and will reduce battery export rebates from 9% to 6% between April 1 and December 31, 2026, before fully phasing them out on January 1, 2027. The policy covers a wide range of solar and battery products, including monocrystalline silicon wafers, lithium‑ion batteries, and all‑vanadium redox flow batteries. This marks a significant shift in China’s export incentive regime, potentially increasing export costs for manufacturers.

North Macedonia has begun the pilot testing phase of its new e-invoice system, e‑Faktura, on 5 January 2026. The state‑owned platform will allow real‑time, direct communication between businesses and the tax authority, with test invoices having no legal effect. The rollout will include a client application by the end of Q1 2026, a production server by the end of Q2 2026, and mandatory adoption from Q3 2026.

KPMG Canada outlines new GST/HST and QST obligations for employers and pension plans. Employers offering registered pension plans must remit by January 31, 2026, while pension entities and master pension entities must file annual returns by June 30, 2026. The guidance also advises reviewing SLFI status and claiming eligible rebates.

Malaysia’s Inland Revenue Board (IRBM) has issued several updates to its e‑invoicing guidelines, expanding the use of consolidated invoices for construction materials, extending grace periods for small businesses, and tightening rules for electricity and telecom services. Full compliance is now required by 1 July 2026, with a phased roll‑out schedule and mandatory UBL 2.1 XML/JSON format, digital signatures, and a seven‑year archiving period.

Oman will introduce an e-invoicing mandate in 2026. The Oman Tax Authority (OTA) is hosting a second consultative workshop for service providers to discuss compliance and preparation for the upcoming requirement.

Under new UK legislation, businesses will no longer pay VAT on goods donated to charity, effective 1 April 2026. The change removes the current requirement for VAT on free gifts to charities, while donated resale goods remain zero‑rated. The relief aims to reduce waste and administrative costs for businesses and charities alike.

This HMRC internal manual provides guidance on VAT assessments, error correction, amendments, and withdrawals. It outlines procedures for dealing with MTD customers, powers of assessment, and remission of tax. The manual serves as a reference for HMRC staff handling VAT assessment processes.

EY Luxembourg outlines strategies for managing VAT exposure in intragroup transactions, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation, transfer pricing alignment, and compliance with reverse-charge mechanisms. The article serves as a practical guide for multinational entities operating within the EU to reduce audit risk and ensure correct VAT treatment across group entities.

Armenia has introduced a VAT exemption for electric vehicles effective from 1 January 2026. The exemption covers specific HS codes for the first month of the year and then applies only to vehicles manufactured after 31 December 2023 for the remainder of 2026. The change follows legislative amendments made on 17 December 2025.

Marosa announces a webinar on 28 January 2026 covering invoicing and VAT compliance across Europe and Latin America, focusing on regulatory developments up to 2030. The session will feature experts Alexia García, Matt Ayton, and Daniela Lavin, and will provide guidance on integrating invoicing and VAT compliance for businesses operating in both regions.

HMRC guidance clarifies that input tax must normally be claimed in the accounting period when the tax became chargeable, but allows late claims under Regulation 29 if circumstances such as missing evidence or internal cut‑off dates apply. HMRC will not permit late claims if the capping limit has passed, if there is evidence of careless error or repeated late claims, and partially exempt taxpayers must recover only to the extent the tax would have been deductible. Staff should seek advice from the VAT Deductions Team or Tax Administration Policy Team when potential manipulation or contrived delays are suspected.

Bulgaria has amended its VAT Act to introduce new regimes for goods supplied with installation by EU suppliers and for small enterprises, effective 1 January 2026. The changes remove the reverse‑charge obligation for goods assembled or installed by EU‑based foreign suppliers and establish two special schemes for small businesses to align with the EU VAT Directive.

Bloomberg Tax argues that digital services taxes (DSTs) are ineffective and distort the digital economy, citing low revenue and compliance burdens. The article highlights that several countries—including Canada, India, Malaysia, and France—have moved away from DSTs or are considering alternatives, and it advocates shifting to a VAT framework for digital services.

Japan’s ruling coalition agreed in December 2025 to an outline of 2026 tax reform proposals covering corporate, international, consumption, and individual tax. The proposals include amendments to Pillar Two global minimum tax rules and new measures for consumption tax, R&D credits, and domestic production incentives. The outline is indicative and subject to legislative approval.

This guide outlines Arkansas’s statewide sales and use tax rate of 6.5%, economic nexus thresholds, prepayment obligations for high‑volume sellers, and the state’s participation in the Streamlined Sales Tax initiative. It also covers exemption certificates, filing methods, and the destination‑based sourcing rule.

Brazil has approved a second law that operationalises its dual VAT system, introducing a federal CBS tax of 8.8% and a state/municipal IBS tax of 17.7% and replacing PIS, Cofins, ICMS and ISS. The legislation establishes a national governance body for IBS, provides sector‑specific rules, and sets a phased transition from 2026 to 2033.

Peppol e-invoicing is a key pillar of European digital compliance, with the network based on EN 16931 and Peppol BIS enabling interoperability in Belgium, France, and Germany. New mandates in Belgium (2026) and France (Facture Electronique) will adopt Peppol, and Melasoft serves as a certified Peppol Access Point to automate compliance, integrating with SAP to ensure 100% legal compliance across 30+ countries.