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.
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VatCalc · about 2 months ago
Vietnam's Ministry of Finance has issued a draft decree to streamline e-invoicing for e-commerce and low-value transactions, shifting invoice issuance to platform operators and allowing small businesses below thresholds to issue consolidated daily invoices. The Finance Ministry also proposed extending e-invoicing to businesses with sales above VND 1 billion on 10 December 2025, and Circular 32/2025 provides detailed guidelines on numbering, use cases, and service provider standards. A June 2024 directive urges the remaining non‑compliant businesses, especially retail outlets, to adopt e‑invoicing, following the successful Phase 2 rollout in 2022 that registered 92 % of obligated taxpayers.
VatCalc · 2 months ago
Vietnam has temporarily set VAT on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel to 0% from 26 March to 15 April 2026, exempting businesses from VAT declaration and payment while allowing input VAT recovery. The measure also waives environmental protection tax and zeroes special consumption tax on gasoline, expected to cut state revenue by about 7.2 trillion VND per month.
Manila Bulletin · 4 days ago
Manila Bulletin reports that the Philippine BIR has clarified that bilateral tax treaties do not exempt foreign digital service providers from the country's 12% VAT. The new guidance, issued in RMC No. 59‑2026 on June 2, 2026, requires non‑resident providers to register and file VAT returns, and outlines reverse‑charge rules for cross‑border B2B services. It also details how online booking platforms and pre‑existing subscriptions are taxed.
The Manila Times · 5 days ago
The BIR expanded the VAT exemption list for essential medicines in April 2026, increasing the number of exempt chronic‑condition drugs to 2,263 from 2,242 in December 2025. This move aims to reduce out‑of‑pocket healthcare costs and boost demand for locally produced generic medicines. The commentary notes potential benefits for domestic manufacturers but highlights ongoing challenges such as high out‑of‑pocket spending and supply‑chain constraints.
Boardroom Limited · 7 days ago
Boardroom Singapore’s press release outlines common pitfalls in Singapore’s GST filing process and offers a practical checklist to improve accuracy. It stresses the importance of timely filing, proper documentation, and the use of the myTax Portal and IRAS’s Assisted Self‑help Kit to mitigate errors and penalties.
Geo · 7 days ago
The International Monetary Fund has urged Pakistan to increase its standard General Sales Tax (GST) rate from 18% to 19% for the 2026-27 fiscal year, citing a tax shortfall. The IMF also proposes raising the GST on hybrid vehicles from 8.5% to 18% and introduces a fixed‑tax scheme for retailers with turnover up to Rs200 million. While the government has resisted the hike, the IMF estimates the 1% increase could raise Rs250‑300 billion in revenue.
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Key Takeaways
A business must have at least VND 300 million (US$11,400) in accumulated input VAT after 12 months or four quarters to be eligible for a refund.
Refunds are no longer available for changes of ownership, enterprise type, merger, consolidation, separation, and de‑merger.
From July 1, 2025, the 0% VAT rate no longer requires a commercial presence for qualifying on‑spot import and export activities.
They must declare and adjust the creditable input VAT in the tax period when payment becomes due, as mandated by Official Letter No. 434/VLO‑QLDN2 dated August 21, 2025.
Primary source
Read the full article at Vietnam BriefingThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 4 March 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Vietnam. The original source is Vietnam Briefing.
