Sweden has launched a public inquiry into mandatory e-invoicing and digital VAT reporting, aligning with the EU’s ViDA framework. The inquiry will be completed by 30 November 2027 and will assess extending e-invoicing to domestic transactions. EU ViDA requires cross‑border B2B e‑invoicing with reporting obligations starting 1 July 2030.

On Feb. 2, 2026 the Philippine Court of Tax Appeals ruled that renewable‑energy developers registered with the Department of Energy may zero‑rate purchases and claim input VAT refunds on zero‑rated sales of fuel or power from renewable sources, provided they satisfy substantiation and invoicing requirements. The decision clarified that the Commissioner’s earlier denial was due to missing documentation.

Chinese authorities have advanced the timing of VAT payments for firms that collect money before delivering services, requiring tax on the full amount received earlier. The change may push businesses over the CNY5 million threshold, forcing a switch to general VAT taxpayer status.

China’s 2026 tax reform will keep domestic service enterprises exempt from VAT and introduce several other incentives. The policy also allows social insurance contributions to be deducted from taxable income, offers preferential corporate income tax rates for eligible firms, and provides personal income tax deductions to spur household demand.

This article explains the distinct roles of VAT returns, VIES, OSS, and Intrastat in Bulgaria and the EU, highlighting that each serves a different purpose—tax calculation, B2B reporting, B2C cross‑border sales, and statistical monitoring. It notes key changes effective from 2026, including euro adoption for VAT communications and the gradual introduction of SAF‑T. Understanding these differences helps businesses avoid compliance errors and audit risks.

Mexico has enacted a tax reform that removes VAT creditability for insurers on direct payments for goods and services used to settle insurance claims. The reform, effective 1 January 2026 and retroactive to the 2025 fiscal year, turns VAT into a non‑recoverable cost, potentially raising premiums by 8‑10% for medical and auto insurance. Insurers must adjust their claim settlement and pricing strategies accordingly.

The UK First‑Tier Tax Tribunal issued a judgment on 26 January 2026 clarifying the eligibility of input VAT deductions in cases involving fraud. The tribunal upheld HMRC’s denial of deductions for payments to four payroll service providers, finding that the taxpayers knew the transactions were connected to VAT fraud. The decision reinforces that knowledge of fraud can lead to denial of input VAT recovery.

The UK First Tier Tribunal ruled that payments under VPAG, PPRS and similar schemes are post‑supply price reductions, meaning the VAT originally paid was too high. The Upper Tribunal hearing is set for 9–11 February 2026, with a decision expected shortly after, potentially unlocking up to £2.5 billion in VAT reclaims for pharma and healthcare businesses. Companies can adjust VAT back up to four years by filing protective claims now.

India's GST Council has granted an exemption on individual life and health insurance premiums, removing the 18% GST. The decision, announced in a written reply on 5 February 2026, covers all individual policies including family floater plans. IRDAI confirmed that insurers have passed the benefit to policyholders without raising premiums.

A leading global SaaS provider discovered that 10% of its customer tax IDs were missing or invalid, exposing over $9 million in potential annual VAT shortfalls. The article highlights gaps in the EU VIES system, varying validation frequency requirements across jurisdictions, and the operational benefits of automated tax ID validation.

ATAF presented African viewpoints on VAT treatment of crypto assets and internationally traded services at the OECD Global Forum on VAT in Paris. The presentations highlighted practical, implementable approaches, clear VAT models for token exchange, and the development of a regional toolkit for non‑resident suppliers. The event underscored the importance of regional coordination and stakeholder engagement to align African realities with global VAT policy.

The French Administrative Court of Appeal of Paris issued Decision No. 24PA02339 on Jan. 30, 2026, clarifying a company's liability for corporate income tax, social contributions, VAT, and payroll tax, and its eligibility for research tax credits. The court found the audit was not irregular and that a director’s driving course expense was not professional, granting only partial relief.

South African Revenue Services (SARS) is preparing to launch a mandatory e‑invoicing model, with full operational capability targeted for 2028. The initiative builds on the 2025 Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill and will include e‑invoicing, e‑reporting and a Peppol‑based interoperability framework. A phased rollout is planned for 2026‑2027, with stakeholder engagement and framework publication before the 2028 launch.

A UK Upper Tribunal decision allows a bespoke hair‑replacement system for severe female hair loss to be zero‑rated under Schedule 8 of the VAT Act 1994. The ruling expands the definition of disability to include social and psychological impacts and confirms that composite supplies that adapt goods can qualify for relief. The case clarifies that wigs and similar products are not automatically treated the same, opening new zero‑rating opportunities for adaptive products.

Colombia’s Constitutional Court suspended the emergency decree that imposed a 19% VAT on online gambling, leaving operators subject only to the standard 15% GGR tax. The suspension, effective from 29 January 2026, will remain until the court’s plenary chamber issues a final decision. The 19% VAT, originally introduced in February 2025 on deposits, expired on 31 December 2025 before being shifted to GGR.

UAE will roll out a national e-invoicing system in 2026‑27, moving from paper to structured digital invoices. The pilot starts July 2026, with mandatory phases for high‑revenue businesses in January 2027, all VAT‑registered firms by July 2027, and B2G transactions from October 2027. Non‑compliance can trigger fines up to AED 5,000 per month.

France’s administration has finalized preparations for the mandatory B2B e‑invoicing and B2C e‑reporting regime that will take effect on 1 September 2026. A voluntary pilot began on 23 February 2026, involving 139 approved platforms and nearly 600 000 companies, with key milestones scheduled through February and a national communication campaign in March.

The OECD’s sixth VAT Forum highlighted the crypto economy and advances in artificial intelligence as emerging challenges for VAT administration. Participants discussed real‑time data collection and the SCAN‑VAT platform to strengthen compliance and combat fraud. The meeting, held from 26 to 29 January, underscored the need for coordinated international approaches.

Switzerland’s Federal Council proposes a temporary 0.8‑percentage‑point increase in VAT to raise CHF 31 billion over ten years, aimed at funding a substantial rise in defence spending. The detailed proposal is due in March, with voters expected to decide in summer 2027 and the hike taking effect in 2028.

The UK First‑Tier Tribunal clarified that a logistics provider acting as an agent in its own name can recover import VAT on clinical trial drugs, overturning HMRC’s earlier denial. The tribunal held that the taxpayer’s lack of ownership and supply for consideration did not preclude input‑VAT treatment. The decision, case No. TC09749, was issued on 14 January 2026.