Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

Gibraltar will introduce a 15% Transaction Tax on goods imported or manufactured locally from 10 April 2026, rising to 17% by 2028, as part of a post‑Brexit agreement with Spain to keep open borders. The new tax replaces Gibraltar’s long‑standing VAT‑free regime and includes reduced, zero‑rated, and exempt categories for specific goods and services.

The Ukrainian government is drafting a major bill to raise the VAT registration threshold for individual entrepreneurs from UAH 1 million to UAH 4 million, potentially submitting it to parliament in March. The bill also includes changes to parcel taxation, digital platform taxation, and a fixed military levy of 5%. Implementation dates are pending, with the threshold possibly taking effect after the war ends or Ukraine joins the EU.

This guide explains the EU-wide €10,000 distance‑selling threshold for cross‑border B2C sales and how it is affected by multi‑country storage. It also covers the 2025 SME VAT exemption scheme and the implications for local VAT registration and OSS use when goods are stored in multiple EU countries.

EY reports that Gibraltar will introduce a Transaction Tax on goods from 10 April 2026, with rates rising from 15% to 16% and then aligning with the EU's lowest VAT rate. The new tax applies to imported or locally manufactured goods, exempting bunkering fuel, ship supplies, and non‑sale goods, while excise duties for tobacco, alcohol, and fuel will align with Spanish rates by 2029. Businesses and individuals will need to adjust pricing and compliance processes accordingly.

On 11 February 2026 the European General Court issued a preliminary ruling in Case T‑643/24 concerning the VAT treatment of unlicensed public communication of musical works by a Romanian guest house. The court held that under Directive 2006/112/EC the act constitutes a supply of services for consideration, thereby subjecting it to VAT. The decision clarifies the application of VAT to the entire tripled amount charged for the broadcast.

The Philippine Court of Tax Appeals issued a decision on Feb. 10, 2026 (CTA Case No. 10561) clarifying the validity of assessments for alleged tax deficiencies. The case involved a domestic corporation claiming entitlement to a 5 % preferential gross income tax rate and a 12 % VAT exemption, arguing that the Commissioner of Revenue had incorrectly applied a 30 % threshold for income from Philippine sources outside the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone. The court examined whether the sales in question were within the zone and the implications for the tax assessments.

Ireland has announced a phased rollout of mandatory B2B e‑invoicing, starting with large corporates in November 2028 and culminating in full ViDA compliance by July 2030. The new system will use the PEPPOL framework and EN 16931 structured data, requiring all businesses to receive structured e‑invoices. The change aligns Ireland with the EU’s digital VAT agenda and will modernise VAT administration.

e-Invoice.app offers a free e-Invoicing vendor matching tool that helps companies identify e‑invoicing solutions vendors based on their specific business profiles, existing ERP system, jurisdictional scope etc. The matching tool generates structured requirements from 90+ country mandates and business context, then matches vendors to create a shortlist, aiming to reduce compliance risk and accelerate procurement.