Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

The EU has granted importers of ammonia and urea a temporary exemption from import duties and CO2 tax, effective 1 January 2026, to keep fertilizers affordable for farmers amid the Mercosur trade negotiations.

Kentucky Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton has filed House Bill 175 to establish a yearly sales tax holiday for school‑related purchases. The holiday would run from 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday of August until midnight Sunday, exempting most clothing items up to $200 and other specific items under $3,000. If enacted, the state sales tax would be eliminated on those items during the holiday period.

This article explains how Thailand’s VAT rules treat trade and cash discounts, highlighting that only trade discounts granted at the time of sale and without conditions can be excluded from the VAT base. It cites the Revenue Department ruling No. Kor.Kor.0702/6077 (14 Oct 2025) that requires VAT to be calculated on the full selling price for conditional discounts, and notes that no VAT credit note can be issued when a deposit is refunded.

Morrisons has lost a VAT court case, resulting in a £17 million tax bill. The ruling confirms the supermarket’s liability for unpaid VAT and underscores the importance of strict compliance for retailers. The decision may serve as a precedent for future VAT disputes in the UK.

Italy has reduced the VAT rate on works of art, collectibles and antiques to 5% from 1 July 2025, replacing the former 10% rate for imports and sales by authors. The change applies to domestic sales, imports and intra‑Community acquisitions, but is incompatible with the margin scheme for resellers. Operators must adjust invoicing, ledger practices and potentially switch between margin methods to comply with the new regime.

Zimbabwe has increased the standard VAT rate on tourism services from 15% to 15.5% and re‑classified activities and transfers from zero‑rated to standard‑rated, effective 1 January 2026. The move puts pressure on operators with long‑lead bookings, prompting calls for a transitional period and raising compliance costs. The change is expected to reduce Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in the Southern African tourism market.

The CJEU’s Flo Veneer judgment (C‑639/24) clarifies that Article 45a of the EU VAT Implementing Regulation does not require a closed list of documents to prove intra‑Community transport. Tax authorities must consider all available evidence and cannot deny the exemption solely on missing standard documents. The ruling reinforces fiscal neutrality and will shape member‑state audit practices.

Slovenia has increased its Intrastat reporting thresholds for arrivals and dispatches of goods with other EU member states, effective 1 January 2026. The arrivals threshold rises from €240,000 to €300,000 per annum (statistical €4 million), while dispatches rise from €270,000 to €280,000 per annum (statistical €9 million). These changes affect larger shippers and are part of Slovenia’s annual reporting obligations for intra‑EU trade.

Effective January 1 2026, unincorporated Boulder County will see a new minimum wage of $16.82 per hour for nontipped workers and $13.80 for tipped workers, while the county’s sales tax rises by 0.15 % to 1.335 %, bringing the combined rate to 6.335 %. The change, approved in a November 2025 election, funds mental‑health services for three years and could lead Niwot to adopt a 2.5 % sales tax if it incorporates.

Serbia’s 2026 VAT amendments overhaul reporting, invoicing and timing rules, with most provisions taking effect on 1 April 2026. The changes tighten internal invoicing requirements, postpone the pre‑filled VAT return model to 2027, and expand the scope of electronic invoicing (SEF) for internal invoices. Businesses must adjust ERP systems and compliance workflows to meet the new deadlines and documentation mandates.

Latvia’s Cabinet Regulation, effective 1 January 2026, mandates structured electronic invoicing and reporting to the State Revenue Service (SRS) for all B2G, G2B, and G2G transactions, with B2B reporting becoming mandatory from 1 January 2028. The regulation specifies four delivery channels—e‑adrese, certified service providers, EDI, and email—each linked to a distinct SRS reporting method and requires XML invoices in UBL 2.1 or Peppol BIS Billing 3.0. Invoices must be reported within five working days of issuance, with contingency rules for technical disruptions.

The UK government has confirmed a mandatory e-invoicing regime set to launch in April 2029, covering B2B and B2G transactions. The plan likely adopts a four‑corner model using a localized Peppol standard, with phased implementation and potential incentives for SMEs. Businesses are urged to prepare early, engage in consultations, and assess technology and data readiness to meet the new compliance requirements.

Oman has formally adopted the Peppol e-invoicing framework under its Fawtara programme, covering B2B, B2G and B2C transactions from 2026. A pilot involving the 100 largest taxpayers will start in August 2026, followed by phased implementation. The rollout will use the Peppol five‑corner model and UBL 2.1 data standards.

Malaysia’s IRBM has raised the e‑invoice exemption threshold to RM 1 million (~€200 k) effective 7 Dec 2025, exempting companies below that turnover. The interim relaxation period for small enterprises has been extended until 31 Dec 2026, delaying mandatory e‑invoicing for those with turnover under RM 1 million. The 5th wave of mandatory e‑invoicing scheduled for 1 July 2026 has been abolished for existing companies.

Argentina has mandated electronic invoicing for all VAT‑registered, simplified regime, and exempt taxpayers since April 1 2019. Invoices must be issued via AFIP’s CAE code, transmitted in XML, and retained for five years. Non‑compliance can lead to 2‑6 day closures, and Fonoa provides integration solutions to meet these requirements.

A Swedish Supreme Administrative Court ruling and updated Tax Agency guidance now restrict the scope of the transfer of a going concern (TOGC) exemption. The TOGC applies only when VAT would be chargeable on the asset transfer and the recipient can deduct input VAT, meaning many previously VAT‑neutral restructurings will incur VAT costs. Companies must reassess each asset’s VAT status when planning mergers or internal reorganisations.

Belgium has enforced its e‑invoicing mandate effective 1 January 2026, requiring all companies to transmit invoices electronically via the Peppol network. A three‑month grace period allows firms to comply without penalties, while coverage rates vary across regions. Companies must also prepare for future e‑reporting obligations in 2028 and the ViDA directive.

The blog outlines confirmed and proposed VAT rate adjustments across several countries effective in 2026, highlighting significant reductions and increases that will impact pricing, invoicing, and compliance for multinational businesses. Key changes include Finland’s 13.5% reduced rate, Germany’s 7% cut for hospitality, and Kazakhstan’s 16% standard rate hike. Businesses are urged to update ERP systems and review contracts to avoid penalties.

The Malaysian government has delayed the mandatory e‑invoicing rollout for businesses with annual sales between RM1 million and RM5 million to 1 January 2027, extending the penalty‑free transition period by 12 months. The exemption threshold was raised from RM500,000 to RM1 million in December 2025, and consolidated e‑invoicing will now cover retail and building materials sectors.

The Portuguese Tax Authority (AT) has clarified the rules for input VAT deduction on electric and plug‑in hybrid vehicles in Oficio Circulado n.º 25088. Key points include VAT liability on private use, non‑deductibility of maintenance expenses, and a 50% deduction for bi‑fuel vehicles. These changes affect how companies account for vehicle-related VAT and may require procedural adjustments.