Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

Bulgaria has amended its VAT Act to introduce new regimes for goods supplied with installation by EU suppliers and for small enterprises, effective 1 January 2026. The changes remove the reverse‑charge obligation for goods assembled or installed by EU‑based foreign suppliers and establish two special schemes for small businesses to align with the EU VAT Directive.

Japan’s ruling coalition agreed in December 2025 to an outline of 2026 tax reform proposals covering corporate, international, consumption, and individual tax. The proposals include amendments to Pillar Two global minimum tax rules and new measures for consumption tax, R&D credits, and domestic production incentives. The outline is indicative and subject to legislative approval.

KPMG’s latest e‑invoicing developments timeline highlights key implementations for 2026. Belgium will require all VAT payers to issue and receive electronic invoices for domestic B2B transactions from 1 January 2026, with a fallback rule for technical issues. Poland will implement the remaining four e‑invoicing acts in February 2026 after signing them on 9 December 2025.

The European Data Protection Supervisor has warned that the European Commission’s proposal to grant the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and OLAF direct access to VAT information at EU level needs clearer safeguards to prevent blurring administrative and criminal boundaries. The proposal, aimed at tackling VAT fraud costing the EU €12.5‑32.8 bn annually, would amend an EU regulation to centralise access to VAT data for law‑enforcement purposes.

Spain’s December 2025 draft law transposes the first wave of the EU ViDA directive, tightening OSS rules, clarifying the €10,000 distance‑sales threshold, and expanding non‑Union OSS scope. It also introduces a representative requirement for non‑EU businesses seeking VAT refunds and sets transitional measures for call‑off stock and energy supplies. The draft signals that the most significant e‑invoicing and digital‑reporting mandates will arrive in 2030 and 2035.

Belgium will require VAT‑liable businesses to issue and receive structured electronic invoices (PEPPOL) from 1 January 2026. For the first three months of 2026, no sanctions will be imposed if companies can prove timely and reasonable preparations, but the tolerance is case‑by‑case and not a blanket postponement.