RSM Ireland’s Spring 2026 VAT newsletter highlights key updates from Irish Revenue, including a new e‑invoicing mandate for large corporates, a 9% VAT rate for qualifying apartment construction, and guidance on Relevant Contracts Tax and fraud prevention.

A buyer-side framework for tax, compliance and IT leaders preparing for global e-invoicing mandates that now bring penalties from day one. The five sequential steps are: map the mandate landscape (countries, transaction types, deadlines, urgency tiers), understand the compliance model behind each country (post-audit, decentralised/Peppol, real-time reporting, centralised platform, clearance), define technical requirements starting with ERP integration, formats and data residency, match vendors to your specific requirements through structured scoring rather than manual shortlisting, and validate the shortlist through peer intelligence on country-and-model-specific implementations. The article emphasises matching vendor architectural strengths to your country mix rather than chasing 'global coverage' claims.

Brazil has introduced a dual VAT model replacing PIS, COFINS, ICMS, and ISS with CBS and IBS. Nonresident sellers must register for CBS/IBS, issue electronic invoices, and comply with split payment rules from August 2026, with CBS fully operational at 8.8% from 2027 and full implementation by 2033.

Morocco is moving toward a mandatory electronic invoicing system in 2026, with a centralized CTC model that will validate invoices in real time via the DGI platform. The reform will roll out progressively, starting with B2B transactions for large companies and later expanding to SMEs and B2C. The UBL format will be the required structured data standard, and invoices must include an electronic signature before validation.

UAE businesses face a July 1, 2026 deadline to pick an accredited e‑invoicing service provider and prepare their systems for the mandatory rollout. From January 1, 2027, e‑invoicing will apply to firms with annual turnover above Dh 50 million, using a decentralised 5‑corner model for B2B and B2G transactions. Companies must review accounting systems, conduct gap analyses, upgrade infrastructure, and train staff to avoid operational disruption.

Brazil introduced a new federal CBS tax on digital services effective 1 January 2026, replacing PIS and Cofins. The consolidated rate of 26.5% (CBS 8.8% + IBS 17.7%) applies to non‑resident providers and marketplaces, which must register and comply with Nota Fiscal e‑invoicing. B2B customers can self‑account, while B2C transactions are subject to collection by the provider.

Greek VAT update: The omnibus tax bill tabled on 1 May 2026 introduces immediate tightening of the reverse charge for construction services, reduces the VAT rate on electricity transmission services to 6 %, and retroactively lowers penalties for nil and credit VAT returns and late withholding filings back to April 2024. Volume‑based rebate clarifications also take effect immediately. All changes are expected to apply from publication in the Official Gazette, with updates reflected instantly in invoices, VAT returns and e‑invoicing.

ZUGFeRD 2.5 will be released on 20 May 2026 for Germany and France, adding native support for gross invoicing and aligning with the latest EN 16931 code lists. The update also expands reference templates for construction, leasing, reverse charge and simplified invoices, and reinforces cross‑border participation through an English version of the ZR framework.