The CJEU ruled that a lawyer providing free legal assistance who receives a fee from the opposing party upon a successful outcome is considered a VAT taxable person. The court held that the lawyer's fee constitutes a supply of services for consideration, subject to VAT under the EU VAT Directive. This decision clarifies that such fees are taxable even when paid by a third party.

Croatia’s new Fiscalization Act will require all VAT‑registered businesses to issue electronic invoices for domestic B2B transactions from 1 January 2026, using EN 16931‑1:2017 standards and real‑time transmission to the tax authority. Paper invoices will only be allowed in exceptional cases, and non‑VAT‑registered businesses must accept and issue e‑invoices by 1 January 2027. Penalties apply for non‑compliance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Arkansas has introduced a Farmers Sales Tax Exemption Card under Act 621 of 2025, allowing farmers to claim sales tax exemptions at the point of sale for items such as animals, chemicals, feed, machinery, and seed. The card costs $20 for issuance, $10 for renewal, and remains valid for eight years.

Malaysia’s Inland Revenue Board has rolled out Phase 4 of its e‑invoicing mandate, effective 1 January 2026. The new rule requires all taxpayers with annual sales or income up to RM5 million to issue electronic invoices, while those below RM1 million remain exempt. The government also introduces free MyInvois tools and a new e‑duti setem stamp‑duty system.

Burkina Faso will launch a certified electronic invoicing system in January 2026 to centralise transaction data, curb VAT fraud and reduce corruption. The system requires businesses to use certified software, terminals and internet connectivity, and will enable continuous data flow to the tax authority for better revenue forecasting and credit assessment.

Brazil is launching a seven‑year transition to a dual VAT system, replacing PIS, Cofins, ICMS and ISS with federal CBS and state IBS. The pilot starts in 2026 with minimal rates and e‑invoicing waivers, while full implementation is slated for 2033 with a consolidated rate of roughly 28%. The reform includes compensation funds for states and a shift to a destination‑based regime.

Mozambique’s Decree 52/2025 amends the VAT Refund Regulation, tightening documentation requirements and introducing new procedures for suspension notifications and special regimes for mining and oil sectors. The changes take effect on 29 January 2026 and include reduced refund periods for diplomatic missions and new security deposit obligations.

A Dutch court decision confirms that the reduced VAT rate for aids does not apply to stairlifts. The reduced rate is limited to wheelchairs, crutches, standing chairs and high‑bed mattresses, while stairlifts are subject to the standard VAT rate. The ruling clarifies the interpretation of the table post and has immediate compliance implications for suppliers.

Azerbaijan has announced a mandatory VAT regime for digital services supplied by non‑resident providers, requiring them to register, charge VAT and file returns. The scope covers software, SaaS, cloud, streaming, digital content, online advertising, digital marketing, platform access and other automated services. Detailed thresholds, filing frequency and administrative requirements are still pending clarification.

Turkey’s Revenue Administration proposes a phased reduction of the Digital Services Tax (DST) from 7.5% to 5% in January 2026 and further to 2.5% in January 2027. The DST applies to digital service providers exceeding a global revenue threshold of EUR 750 million or local revenue of TRY 20 million, with strict monthly reporting and no deductions allowed. Exemptions require an independent auditor report and are subject to strict thresholds.

China’s State Administration of Taxation has rolled out a mandatory marketplace reporting regime that requires digital platforms to submit structured merchant-level data to tax authorities. The new rules, effective from October 2025, have already increased tax visibility and collections by 13% from online sellers and are expected to tighten compliance for e‑commerce operators. The regime aligns China with global standards such as DAC7 and imposes penalties of up to RMB 500,000 for non‑compliance.