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 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.

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.

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.

Mexico amended its Federal Revenue Law on 7 November 2025, removing insurers’ ability to recover 16% VAT on goods and services used in covered major medical treatments. 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%.

British Columbia will broaden its Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to include a range of professional services from 1 October 2026, maintaining a 7% rate that, combined with the federal 5% GST, brings the total tax on most supplies to 12%. For architectural, engineering and geoscience services, PST will apply to only 30% of the purchase price. Service providers in the new scope must register for PST and prepare to charge, collect and remit the tax, with further administrative guidance to follow.