Ethiopian judges on 21 February 2026 rejected a bid by lawyers to freeze a controversial VAT directive, leaving the directive in effect. The decision centers on whether VAT compliance can be compelled without a threshold, a question that has implications for legal professionals and businesses. The ruling clarifies that the current VAT registration requirements remain unchanged.
They rejected the bid, leaving the directive in effect.
Whether VAT compliance can be compelled without a threshold.
21 February 2026.
Legal professionals and businesses subject to VAT registration in Ethiopia.
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Sunday Independent · 1 day ago
South Africa’s National Treasury is unlikely to raise the VAT rate for Budget 2026/27, citing political resistance. Instead, the focus will shift to enforcement and administrative reforms to strengthen the VAT system. A R20 bn tax increase pencilled in for 2026/27 is also expected to be reconsidered based on Sars performance.
NigeriaInfo · 6 days ago
Nigeria’s 2025 Tax Act removes VAT on land, completed buildings, and both residential and commercial rent, effective January 2026. The reform allows contractors to recover input VAT on construction materials and gives tenants rent relief up to ₦500,000, capped at 20 % of annual rent. Mortgage interest for owner‑occupied homes remains tax‑deductible.
The Nation · 7 days ago
Nigeria’s Tax Act 2025 has fully exempted land, buildings and rent from Value Added Tax, aiming to lower housing costs and stimulate real‑estate investment. The law also reduces construction withholding tax to 2 % and allows mortgage interest on owner‑occupied homes to be deducted. Additional reliefs include rent relief up to ₦500,000 and various tax incentives for small businesses and real‑estate investors.
VatCalc · 10 days ago
Ghana introduced a 12.5% VAT on non‑resident digital service providers to local consumers effective 1 April 2022. The law sets a GHS 200,000 annual turnover threshold for registration and requires monthly returns filed by the 21st of the following month. Non‑resident suppliers must appoint a resident representative or VAT agent to comply.
BusinessDay · 10 days ago
Nigeria is tightening VAT and withholding tax compliance by moving from retrospective audits to real‑time reporting of business transactions. The shift, part of a broader fiscalisation strategy, will give tax authorities direct visibility into transactions as they occur, starting with large taxpayers. The e‑invoicing platform will enhance existing filing systems and encourage participation through engagement and simulation portals.
KPMG · 11 days ago
South Africa’s tax authority, SARS, has confirmed a multi‑year plan to roll out mandatory e‑invoicing and real‑time VAT digital reporting. The phased approach will begin with system design and pilot engagement through 2026, followed by onboarding of large VAT taxpayers and priority sectors between 2026 and 2029. The reform aims to transform VAT administration into a seamless, data‑driven process where compliance is automated and risk is detected at the point of transaction.
