The Advocate‑General has clarified that transfer‑pricing (TP) adjustments made for direct tax purposes do not attract VAT, but TP adjustments that are contractually agreed within intra‑group supplies of goods are within the scope of VAT. In the Stellantis Portugal case (C‑603/24), the Portuguese tax authorities imposed VAT assessments on Stellantis Portugal for TP adjustments, and the Advocate‑General advised the European Court that such adjustments should be treated as price adjustments for vehicles. Businesses are urged to review their TP policies and implement VAT considerations in their ERP systems.

The ViDA package represents a sweeping overhaul of the EU VAT system, aiming to curb fraud, simplify SME compliance, and create a fairer digital marketplace. It introduces mandatory e‑invoicing and near real‑time digital reporting for intra‑EU transactions, expands the Single VAT Registration and Import One‑Stop Shop, and projects up to €18 billion in annual revenue gains and €5.1 billion in compliance cost reductions by 2030.

Sri Lanka has launched a national electronic invoicing framework to modernize its tax administration and curb tax evasion. The system, integrated with the existing Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) via a secure Web API, will roll out in stages, starting with a pilot phase expected to be fully deployed by the end of 2025 and eventually becoming mandatory for all VAT‑registered businesses and B2C POS transactions.

From 1 January 2026, Mauritius will impose VAT on digital and electronic services supplied by non-resident providers. Foreign suppliers must register for VAT regardless of turnover, and those exceeding MUR 3 million must appoint a tax representative. The new rules also eliminate the reverse charge for VAT‑registered foreign suppliers, requiring them to charge VAT on supplies to Mauritian businesses.

Cyprus has extended deadlines for VAT, VIES, and the Special Taxi Scheme to 20 January 2026, allowing submissions and payments without penalties. Businesses must be aware of the new penalties that will apply after this date. The extension covers VAT returns for the period ending 30 November 2025, VIES returns for December 2025, and the flat‑rate scheme for urban taxis from 1 July to 31 December 2025.

The article explains the conditions under which a B2B intra‑community supply of goods can be zero‑rated in the EU. It outlines the required documentation, reporting obligations, and the consequences of non‑compliance.

On 16 January 2026, the Nigeria Revenue Service clarified that VAT on banking services has always applied to fees, commissions and service charges, not to the money transferred. The NRS confirmed that the Nigeria Tax Act does not impose new tax obligations on bank customers and urged stakeholders to rely on official channels for accurate information.

HM Revenue & Customs has reversed its stance on UK VAT grouping, stating that EU case law restrictions no longer apply. The change allows overseas establishments of VAT‑grouped businesses to be treated as part of the group even in EU states that do not use whole‑entity VAT grouping, and invites firms to reclaim overpaid VAT. The policy, announced after the 2025 Budget, seeks to simplify cross‑border compliance and attract foreign investment.

Poland will require taxpayers to notify the e‑Tax Office before issuing invoices with attachments in KSeF 2.0 from 1 January 2026. The notification must include taxpayer details, activity type and technical parameters, and attachments must be part of the XML file. Additional legislative updates include simplified invoice rules, JPK_VAT amendments, and exemption provisions effective February 2026.

Mexico’s tax authority, SAT, has issued Rule 2.9.21 under RMF 2026, mandating digital platforms to provide real‑time, permanent online access to transaction records. The rule requires next‑day data availability, a five‑year searchable archive, and a formal request by April 30 2026, with detailed data obligations for both service providers and intermediary platforms.

The newsletter covers recent VAT developments, including a new EU customs duty for low-value parcels, a UK Supreme Court ruling affecting VAT recovery on fundraising activities, and a change in VAT treatment for locum doctors following HMRC's decision not to appeal a tribunal ruling.

Portugal’s government has proposed a 6% VAT rate on construction and rehabilitation works for primary residences, targeting urban development projects initiated between September 2025 and December 2029. The measure applies to sales under €648,022 and rentals under €2,300/month, with specific timing and lease conditions, and includes amended reverse‑charge rules and potential VAT refunds for individuals.

Austria will reduce the VAT on certain food items from 10% to 5% mid‑2026, a measure financed by a new tax on non‑recyclable plastics. The specific foodstuffs eligible for the discount are yet to be defined, and the competition authority will enforce the reduction and ensure retailers pass the benefit to consumers.

The VAT Refunds Manual is an HMRC internal guidance document outlining procedures for traders to claim VAT refunds. It covers eligibility, claim requirements, time limits, verification, handling of abusive or unjust enrichment claims, end‑customer refund claims, refusal procedures, appeals, and penalties.

China’s new Value‑Added Tax Law and its Implementing Regulations entered force on 1 January 2026, bringing significant changes to taxable transaction definitions, VAT rates, and taxpayer status thresholds. The law retains the 13 %, 9 %, and 6 % rates, introduces a 3 % levying rate for the simplified tax method, and adjusts the real‑estate VAT rate for individuals to 3 %. Enterprises exceeding RMB 5 million in annual taxable sales must switch to the general taxation method, and the definition of taxable services and intangible assets now focuses on consumption within China or domestic sellers.

Complementary Law No. 227/2026, published on 13 January 2026, formally establishes the Management Committee of the Goods and Services Tax (CGIBS) and sets out governance, litigation, and revenue distribution rules for Brazil’s new IBS tax. The law does not impose immediate obligations on taxpayers but signals a shift to a centralized, standardized administration that will affect audits, enforcement, and data cross‑checking in the future.

Guernsey officials discuss that any future increase to the proposed 5% GST would require a two‑thirds super majority under the island’s Reform Law. The introductory rate would be 5% if retail food sales are included, or 6% otherwise, and a 6% rate would be needed to raise about £50 million net. The proposal aims to keep the tax broad and simple to limit future rate hikes.