Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

The article explains how withholding VAT regimes are used in Mexico and Argentina to collect VAT on digital services supplied by non‑resident providers. It details the rates and responsibilities of platforms, intermediaries, and customers, and notes that withholding can sometimes replace registration for foreign suppliers.

Zimbabwe’s tax authority has clarified that non‑resident digital service providers must remain VAT‑registered if their annual turnover from services consumed in Zimbabwe exceeds USD 25,000, even after the introduction of Digital Services Withholding Tax (DSWT). The DSWT withholding amount is credited against the supplier’s VAT liability, but all compliance obligations, including fiscalisation, continue to apply. The fiscalisation mandate has been live for all VAT‑registered taxpayers since June 2025.

HMRC has reset UK VAT grouping rules, allowing overseas establishments to be treated as part of a UK VAT group and removing EU case law such as Skandia and Danske Bank. The new policy reduces cross‑border VAT friction and invites businesses to correct over‑declared VAT, while expanding HMRC’s discretion to deny grouping where it sees collection risk or distortive outcomes.

The article discusses how governments across the GCC, Europe and Asia are moving toward real‑time clearance and continuous transaction control (CTC) models for e‑invoicing, with the UAE accelerating adoption of PEPPOL and FTA‑aligned reporting. It highlights that by 2026 CFOs will need new roles such as Tax Data Engineers to manage structured tax data pipelines and real‑time compliance. The piece outlines the operational shift from manual reconciliation to data‑oriented finance functions and the importance of interoperable e‑invoicing systems.

Greece will gradually enforce mandatory B2B e‑invoicing, starting 2 February 2026 for high‑revenue firms and 1 October 2026 for all other entities. The new rules cover all B2B transactions, sales to non‑EU entities (excluding retail) and public‑sector contracts, requiring use of the IAPR’s Timologio platform. Businesses should prepare early to comply with the new invoicing framework.

This article examines the constraints on cross‑border VAT grouping in Sweden, addressing both EU member states and non‑EU jurisdictions. It outlines the legal framework and practical implications for businesses operating across borders.