The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched an EU‑wide investigation into a cross‑border VAT carousel fraud scheme involving luxury cars, estimating tax damage of over €103 million. Nine suspects were detained in Czechia and Germany, with more than 150 searches carried out in nine EU countries and assets seized worth €13.5 million. The offences span the period 2017‑2025.

The Court of Justice ruled that virtual currency used only within an online video game is not exempt under Article 135(1)(e) of the EU VAT Directive and is not a voucher under Article 30 bis. Consequently, such transactions are taxable electronic services, with VAT calculated on the full sale price. The decision clarifies that the exemption applies only to virtual currencies accepted as an alternative to legal tender and used solely as a payment instrument.

The EU's top court ruled that proceeds from trading virtual gold in online video games are subject to VAT, overturning any exemption. The decision supports Lithuania's efforts to collect tax on digital goods and has implications for VAT treatment of virtual goods across the EU.

China has removed the 9% export VAT rebate on PV modules, marking a shift from price‑led subsidies to value‑based competition. The change is expected to raise costs for manufacturers and influence module pricing across markets. The policy reflects industry maturity and a focus on quality, efficiency, and long‑term bankability.

EN 16931‑1, the EU e‑invoicing standard, is being updated to a mid‑2026 release that expands B2B functionality and aligns with the ViDA initiative. The revision is not backward compatible, requiring migration for existing version 3 implementations, and will be formally approved in late January 2026 with publication concluding within six months. Key national roll‑outs include Germany’s XRechnung 4.0 and France’s CTC extensions.

Vietnam’s 2025 VAT Law expands refund eligibility to investment projects, exporters, and 5%‑rate businesses with at least VND 300 million in accumulated input VAT, while tightening documentation and audit requirements. Key changes include removal of refunds for ownership or structural changes, stricter rules for deferred payments, and new limits on import‑export refund eligibility.

The article outlines five marketing shifts reshaping e‑invoicing vendor strategies in 2026, highlighting the importance of compliance thought leadership, real‑time compliance intelligence, and digital discovery tools. It provides market growth projections and the increasing need for structured, cross‑functional reference data.

The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued new Electronic Invoicing Guidelines, mandating B2B and B2G transactions to use Peppol-based XML invoices from 2027. The rollout is phased: businesses with ≥ AED 50 million revenue go live on 1 January 2027, smaller businesses on 1 July 2027, and government entities on 1 October 2027. The system requires 51 mandatory data elements and real‑time reporting via accredited service providers.

In Romania, any cash or card payment to individuals triggers the requirement to use an electronic fiscal cash register, regardless of how often the transaction occurs. The only exemption is when all receipts and payments are made exclusively through bank accounts. Certain entities must also accept card payments via POS terminals unless they rely solely on bank transfers. B2B cash receipts can be documented by invoice and receipt without a fiscal receipt.

A UK tax tribunal has ruled that VAT on public electric vehicle charging should be reduced to 5%, matching the rate already applied to home charging. The decision covers charging at service stations, supermarkets and residential streets, replacing the current 20% rate for public chargers.

A UK First‑tier Tribunal has ruled that public EV charging can qualify for the 5% reduced VAT rate if the supply does not exceed 1,000 kWh per customer per month at a specific location, overturning HMRC’s earlier stance. The decision could lower charging costs and may influence the Treasury’s consideration to cut VAT on public charging to 5% ahead of the 2028 pay‑per‑mile levy. HMRC’s 2021 guidance still applies a 20% rate to public charge points, and the Treasury is reviewing VAT reforms to offset the levy’s impact.

A UK tribunal ruled that community public charging supplies qualify for the 5% reduced VAT rate under the de minimis provision, overturning HMRC's earlier 20% requirement. The ruling applies to supplies below 1,000 kWh per month per customer at each location and is limited to operators meeting the community‑based model. The decision could influence VAT treatment for other public charging operators.

The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal challenging the 20% VAT on private school fees, upholding the Treasury’s position that the measure is lawful and necessary. The policy, which took effect on 1 January 2025, was defended as essential to avoid serious detrimental consequences for low‑cost private schools. The High Court had previously dismissed the challenge in June 2025.

The LinkedIn post explains Spain’s Modelo 349, an informative declaration for intra‑community transactions with EU VAT‑registered entities. It outlines filing frequencies, deadlines, key compliance risks, and the types of transactions that must be reported. The post emphasizes that Modelo 349 does not generate a tax payment and stresses accurate reporting to avoid audits.

Zampa Partners is hosting a conference on 25 March to explore how evolving financial services models, such as fintech and embedded finance, challenge traditional VAT positions. The event will feature panels on VAT exemptions, case law, and practical compliance strategies, and is accredited for 3.75 hours of CPE by the Malta Institute of Accountants.

Singapore’s 2026 budget introduces a requirement for all GST‑registered businesses to submit digital invoices via the InvoiceNow e‑invoicing network by April 2031. The government will roll out free InvoiceNow‑Ready software and cash grants up to S$5,000 to support the transition, prioritising smaller firms. Since Nov 1 2025, newly incorporated GST‑registered companies have already been required to transmit invoice data through InvoiceNow.

South Africa will raise the mandatory VAT registration threshold from R1 million to R2.3 million and the voluntary threshold from R50 000 to R120 000, effective 1 April 2026. The annual turnover tax limit will also rise from R1 million to R2.3 million. These changes aim to adjust for inflation and support small businesses.

The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, ruling that the President lacked authority to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on China and other partners. The decision remanded the case and left importers without a remedy, prompting the administration to announce a new worldwide tariff under the Trade Act of 1974. Importers must seek refunds through Customs and the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Ireland’s Revenue has clarified that large corporates managed by its Large Corporates Division will be required to adopt e‑invoicing from 1 November 2028, while financial services firms will not be in scope for Phase One but must still receive e‑invoices from that date, with full implementation starting in November 2029. The move aligns with the EU’s VAT in the Digital Age initiative and will be followed by real‑time VAT reporting.

Croatia has announced it will extend the reduced 5% VAT rate on certain energy products until March 31, 2027, to help curb inflation. The measure covers natural gas, district heating, and various wood fuels, and the extension is expected to forgo about €47 million in revenue. Without the extension, the rate would revert to 13% at the end of March 2026.