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.

Belgium will not impose penalties for certain e‑invoicing offences from January to March 2026 if businesses show timely compliance efforts. The Hermes platform is being phased out, requiring a move to a Peppol‑certified system, and small VAT‑exempt firms must still issue e‑invoices.

Tunisia will require all service sector companies to submit electronic invoices via the El Fatoora platform from 1 January 2026, under Article 53 of the 2026 Finance Law. The mandate mandates TEIF XML format, qualified electronic signatures, and imposes penalties for non‑compliance. Service providers must act immediately to meet technical, procedural, and financial obligations.

Belgium has required all VAT‑registered companies to use electronic invoicing via the Peppol network since 1 January 2026. Accountants and bookkeepers, citing widespread technical problems, have asked the finance minister to postpone the 25 January VAT‑return deadline to 28 February and to waive penalties. The request highlights challenges with invoice delivery, software performance and duplicate filings.

On 14 January 2026 the Italian Revenue Agency issued Letter No. 4/2026 clarifying that an artistic foundry’s activity is a provision of services, not artwork sales. Consequently the 5 % reduced VAT rate does not apply because the foundry is not the author or rights holder of the artworks it produces. The foundry must therefore charge the standard VAT rate on its services.

This briefing examines how EU legislation shapes Member States’ ability to set VAT rates, highlighting the legal uncertainty and administrative complexity arising from multiple preferential rates. It calls for regular reviews to assess the necessity and effectiveness of these rates amid high budget deficits and competing spending priorities.

Slovakia will implement several VAT and tax changes from 1 January 2026, including removing the reduced 19% rate for processed foods high in salt or sugar, expanding the 5% reduced rate to certain printed media, exempting individuals from the financial transaction tax, and introducing a 0.0125% monthly special levy on pension and collective investment companies.

The Advocate General’s opinion in the Stellantis Portugal case (C‑603/24) clarifies that transfer pricing adjustments between group companies are to be treated as adjustments to the original prices of earlier sales, not as separate repair services. Consequently, corrective invoices must be issued and the VAT taxable base of those earlier supplies must be adjusted. The final CJEU judgment is expected later in 2026.

The European Commission’s ViDA initiative introduces a common EU digital reporting standard, mandatory e‑invoicing for intra‑EU B2B transactions, and expands the OSS/IOSS to cover more B2C supplies. It also imposes platform‑operator deemed‑supplier rules for accommodation and transport services. The phased rollout runs from 2025 to 2035, requiring businesses to modernise their tax technology and processes.