Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

The city of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines has announced that water bills will no longer carry the 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT) starting March 2026. Residents will receive full refunds for VAT collected between 17 November 2025 and February 2026. The measure, announced by Mayor Vilma B. Caluag, aims to reduce household costs and ease living burdens.

The Italian Revenue Agency issued Letter No. 35/2026 on 11 February 2026, confirming that a 4 % reduced VAT rate applies to vehicles adapted for individuals with motor disabilities who hold a BS‑category special driving licence with adaptation codes, even without a disability certificate under Law No. 104/1992. The guidance clarifies eligibility requirements and documentation needed for the reduced rate.

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.

Ecuador announced a temporary reduction of the general VAT rate for tourist services from 15% to 8% during the New Year holiday period (1–4 January 2026). The reduced rate applies to a wide range of tourist activities defined under Article 5 of the Tourism Law, including accommodation, food, entertainment, transport, and event services.

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.

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.

Belgium will raise the VAT rate on hotel and campsite accommodation to 12% from 1 March 2026, while the rate on non‑alcoholic beverages served in hospitality venues will fall to 12% from 21%. Planned increases for takeaway food and cultural/sports events from 6% to 12% have been put on hold after a critical advisory opinion from the Council of State.

China’s State Administration of Taxation clarified VAT starting thresholds for the 2026 Value Added Tax Law. Natural persons’ daily threshold rises to RMB 1,000 per transaction, with special rules for continuous transactions and a monthly RMB 100,000 threshold. The announcement also simplifies compliance by deeming filing fulfilled when VAT is invoiced by authorities or withheld, and allows small‑scale taxpayers to waive exemptions transaction‑by‑transaction.

Belgium's federal government has decided to withdraw its plan to raise VAT on tickets for sports, cultural events, and takeaway meals. The decision was announced by Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval. The Council of State had previously criticized the proposed changes.

The Chilean Internal Revenue Service issued Letter No. 285 on Feb. 4, clarifying VAT rules for the special construction company credit (CEEC) and urban housing development. The letter confirms that CEEC can be requested at 32.5% or 16.25% if the development is related to housing, and that construction of social housing under state subsidies is not treated as a general construction contract aimed at housing.