The VATfaqs digest
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UAE: The Ministry of Finance has extended the deadline for appointing an Accredited Service Provider to 30 October 2026, while the e-invoicing go-live date remains 1 January 2027. Businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must now plan for ASP selection and onboarding before the new deadline.
Switzerland: The Swiss Federal Tax Administration has opened a consultation on draft VAT guidance for e-sports, covering the taxability of virtual sporting events, entry fees, prize money and online access services. The guidance clarifies that electronic sporting events held in virtual environments are not exempt from VAT, and that entry and registration fees are taxable supplies. Online access services for participants and viewers are treated as electronic services subject to place-of-supply rules.
Global e-Invoicing Requirements Tracker
In Nepal, the Inland Revenue Department issued a public notice on 15 July outlining VAT obligations for rideshare service providers. The notice sets a 5% VAT rate on rideshare transportation services, requires operators to issue tax invoices, and applies a 13% VAT rate to platform commissions.
EU: The ViDA package, now EU law, introduces mandatory e-invoicing, platform VAT collection and a single VAT registration system effective from 14 April 2025. Key deadlines include 1 July 2030 for mandatory B2B e-invoicing, 1 January 2030 for platform VAT collection, and 1 July 2028 for OSS extension.
France's e-invoicing mandate will take effect on 1 September 2026, requiring all registered companies to issue and receive e-invoices and large and mid-sized firms to report electronically. The final technical guidelines from AFNOR and the AIFE's external specifications have been released, while the pilot phase shows low participation rates.
The UK government brief clarifies that supplies of GMC registered locum doctors are exempt from VAT under Item 5, Group 7, Schedule 9 of the VAT Act 1994. It also provides guidance on claiming refunds for overdeclared output tax on supplies made within the last four years, and outlines the error correction notification process.
France's e-invoicing pilot program begins on 1 September 2026, with a voluntary testing phase from February to August 2026. The pilot allows businesses to test mandatory B2B e-invoicing and B2C/cross-border e-reporting before the mandatory deadline. Participation is voluntary but offers insight into data flow between trading partners, accredited platforms and tax authorities.
Indonesia's DGT introduces an 80% threshold for accelerated tax refunds for low-risk VAT-registered persons. The threshold requires qualifying activities to account for at least 80% of total eligible supplies. Taxpayers below the threshold still receive refunds, but through the regular audit process.
Colorado expands sales tax to digital software under House Bill 26-1223, effective 1 January 2027. The bill removes exemptions for downloaded and remotely accessible software, potentially including SaaS.
The United States will impose a 25% tariff on most goods imported from Brazil starting 22 July 2026. The measure, triggered by a Section 301 investigation over digital trade and deforestation concerns, exempts products such as beef, coffee, and aircraft parts.
In Nepal, households using more than 50 units of electricity per month are now subject to a 5% VAT on the excess consumption. The new rule applies from 17 July 2026, exempting the first 50 units while charging 5% VAT on any usage above that threshold.
France's digital services tax (DST) imposes a 3% rate on digital intermediation and targeted advertising services supplied by large firms when they exceed €750 million worldwide and €25 million France. The tax is calculated on taxable sums received, multiplied by a France-presence coefficient, and it creates a cascading effect that can disproportionately burden low-margin businesses.
Finland's Supreme Administrative Court clarified that a standard 10% VAT penalty applies to conflicting VAT returns filed for the same period. The decision, posted online on 18 June 2026, confirms that the penalty is triggered by human error and failure to revoke a service provider's authorization.
Ireland has reduced the VAT rate for hospitality services to 9% from 1 July 2026, replacing the previous 13.5% rate. The change applies to restaurants, catering, hot takeaway food and hairdressing services, and will remain until 31 December 2030.
Ukraine has released practical guidance to help large taxpayers prepare SAF-T UA files without technical errors. The guidance covers file structure, data quality, and integration with accounting systems, and includes FAQs and recommendations for passing automated checks.
The UK and EU customs clearance for animal products requires both SPS health checks and customs declarations to be reconciled. This guide explains the dual-track process, key notification steps, and a pre-clearance checklist to avoid delays.
Germany faces significant VAT calculation errors due to inaccurate product master data, as illustrated by recent court rulings and rate changes. The article explains how misclassifications arise, the impact of legal updates such as Austria's new 4.9% rate, and recommends centralised VAT classification systems to avoid costly mistakes.
Croatia clarified the VAT treatment of pharmaceutical products imported without marketing authorization, confirming a 5% reduced rate for prescription medications with HALMED or EC approval. The clarification was issued by the Croatian Tax Administration on 25 June 2026.