Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

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.

On 15 January 2026 France and Germany will roll out updated hybrid e‑invoicing standards—Factur‑X 1.0.8 in France and ZUGFeRD 2.4 in Germany—aligned with the EU EN 16931 framework and the French AFNOR XP Z12‑012 standard. The update adds support for complex invoice structures, a newer UN/CEFACT CII release, clearer rounding tolerance rules, and updated documentation. Businesses invoicing in either country should verify ERP compatibility and adjust tax logic to meet the new tolerances.

The EU has updated its eInvoicing standard EN 16931, adding B2B extensions, new technical specifications, and a semantic data model. The ViDA initiative now requires near real‑time VAT reporting for intra‑EU transactions, with a new Digital Reporting Requirements (DRR) message that is a VAT report, not an invoice. Businesses aligning early will avoid compliance issues and benefit from streamlined invoicing and reporting.

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.