Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

Belgium will implement a new VAT rate structure from 1 March 2026, shifting take‑away meals and many leisure services to a 12% rate while raising the rate for furnished accommodation to 12% and moving plant protection products to the standard 21% rate. The changes also refine drink taxation in restaurants and preserve 6% rates for specific cultural performances.

The article explains the EU VAT Directive’s call‑off stock simplification, which exempts the transfer of goods between Member States from VAT when a single, predetermined customer is known. It contrasts this with consignment stock, which triggers a deemed intra‑Community supply and requires VAT registration in the destination country. Practical compliance requirements such as maintaining stock registers, submitting EC Sales List reports, and potential Intrastat reporting are also outlined.

The article examines the OECD’s Digital Continuous Transactional Reporting (DCTR) framework, highlighting its role as a strategic blueprint for Tax Administration 3.0. It discusses the shift from manual reporting to real‑time digital compliance, the two primary DCTR models, interoperability challenges, SME protection measures, and the importance of data minimization for trust and security.

The German e-invoicing market is projected to grow from USD 15.2 billion in 2024 to USD 41.86 billion by 2033, driven by EU Directive 2014/55/EU and a 13.5% CAGR. Cloud-based solutions dominate the market, holding over 70% share, while large corporations represent about 60% of the market and SMEs are rapidly expanding. The analysis highlights regulatory mandates, market segmentation, and strategic opportunities for technology providers.

The article argues that invoices cannot be considered processed unless fully compliant, highlighting that e‑invoicing mandates cover only a fraction of compliance requirements and that tax authorities focus on tax relevance rather than business legitimacy. It warns that relying solely on ERP or e‑invoicing platforms can create significant risk and that invoice fraud can lead to severe penalties.

Avalara’s blog outlines the 2026 sales tax holiday schedule across the United States, detailing dates, exempt product categories, and state‑specific rules. The post highlights key holidays in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, and other states, noting price caps, local tax considerations, and the need for retailers to update POS systems.

The Italian Revenue Agency has released the 2026 VAT declaration forms and instructions for the 2025 tax year. The new forms, approved by Provvedimento 15/01/2026 n. 51732, introduce several structural changes and new fields. Taxpayers must submit the declaration electronically between 1 February and 30 April 2026.

South Korea’s National Tax Service has introduced a new filing requirement for VAT‑exempt business owners, including YouTubers, drivers, and delivery riders. All such owners must submit an annual business operation status report by February 10, 2025, and will receive mobile notifications starting on the 21st of the reporting month. The rule expands guidance to one‑person media creators and sets a 24 million won income threshold for certain personal service providers.

The 2025 GST exemption for individual health and term insurance in India has not led to significant premium reductions because insurers cannot claim input tax credit on operating expenses. The article explains how insurers absorb costs or adjust premiums, and outlines industry demands for partial ITC restoration and other reforms.

The Manila Times opinion piece explains how the Supreme Court’s February 4 2025 ruling in the Subic Bay Freeport case clarified that domestic market enterprises (DMEs) are entitled to VAT zero‑rating under the Create Act, overturning earlier BIR issuances that excluded them. It also outlines the conditions under which DMEs can still claim the benefit under the newer Create More law, namely high‑value DMEs with significant investment capital or export sales, and stresses that purchases must be directly attributable to the registered project. The article advises businesses in freeports and ecozones to update their ERP systems, document eligibility, and align procurement processes to avoid disputes.

Turkey’s TBMM Plan and Budget Commission has extended the VAT‑free period for inward processing regime (IPR) purchases from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2030. The change aims to prevent exporters and manufacturer‑exporters from having to pay VAT upfront on domestic raw materials, semi‑finished and auxiliary goods. The regulation will enter into force after its publication in the Official newspaper.

The Slovak Financial Administration released Guide No. 1/DPH/2026/I on January 14, 2026, outlining amendments to the VAT Act. Key provisions include mandatory electronic invoicing for domestic supplies from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2030 and an option for the tax office to require customers to pay VAT directly to the tax administrator’s account if a supplier is suspected of non‑payment. The guidance applies to all Slovak taxpayers engaged in domestic supply of goods and services.

North Macedonia has introduced several VAT and e‑invoicing updates in late 2025 and early 2026. The VAT exemption for small‑value shipments is now limited to non‑commercial items, the 5% preferential rate for residential buildings is extended to 2028, and a pilot e‑invoice system (e‑Faktura) began on 5 January 2026. A new Top‑up Tax Rulebook was also published, aligning with OECD standards.

Turkey’s Parliament extended the VAT‑free period for inward processing regime (IPR) purchases from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2030. The change aims to prevent exporters and manufacturer‑exporters from having to pay VAT upfront on domestic raw materials, thereby protecting cash flow and competitiveness.

Bulgaria’s VAT reform, effective 1 January 2026, introduces a small‑enterprise regime allowing companies with turnover up to €51,130 domestically and €100,000 EU‑wide to operate VAT‑free across the EU, removes the reverse‑charge for goods assembled or installed in Bulgaria, and expands registration thresholds to include subsidies, packaging, transport and other charges, all expressed in euros following euro adoption.

On January 14, the Lithuanian State Tax Inspectorate released a summary explanation outlining VAT filing requirements for the small business regime. The guidance specifies that returns must be filed electronically via the online portal and due by the 25th of the month following the tax period in which VAT obligations arose or services were supplied in another EU member state. It also confirms that small business regime taxpayers in other EU member states must comply with the same electronic filing requirement.

Poland’s Ministry of Finance has extended the phased launch of the KSeF e‑invoicing system, with large taxpayers required to go live on 1 Feb 2026 and other businesses on 1 Apr 2026. No monetary penalties will apply for KSeF breaches during 2026, but administrative fines may be imposed from 1 Jan 2027. Additional requirements include bank‑transfer ID references from 1 Aug 2026 and mandatory acceptance of KSeF invoices by Polish VAT‑registered customers.

Denmark has increased its Intrastat Dispatches threshold to DKK 11.8 million effective 1 January 2026, while the Arrivals threshold remains unchanged at DKK 42 million. The change requires businesses to report additional data in the electronic Intrastat form, including goods description, commodity code, delivery terms, transport mode, destination and origin countries, weight/quantity, and invoice value. Since January 2022, Intrastat also mandates the country of origin for dispatches and the VAT ID of the recipient.

The Polish Ministry of Finance confirms that the mandatory KSeF e‑invoicing system will start as scheduled, with no delays. The system will be operational from 1 Feb 2026 for high‑turnover advertisers, from 1 Apr 2026 for other taxpayers (excluding those with monthly sales ≤10 000 PLN), and from 1 Jan 2027 for those with lower sales. No penalties will apply until 1 Jan 2027, after which non‑compliance will be penalised.

Chile's tax authority issued Letter No. 24 on Jan. 7 clarifying that VAT payers receiving taxable services from nonresident providers must issue purchase invoices and pay VAT. The letter also requires retroactive invoicing if invoices are not issued in the same tax period as the remuneration. These guidance rules affect Chilean businesses dealing with foreign service providers.