A London tribunal ruled that Barclays' British branch was skeletal and did not constitute a fixed establishment for VAT grouping purposes, resulting in the loss of Barclays' appeal. The decision clarifies the application of UK fixed establishment rules for foreign entities.

The 2026 Billentis report outlines a rapid shift toward mandatory e‑invoicing worldwide, driven by new mandates such as the EU’s ViDA package and Africa’s 2026 roll‑outs. It highlights the adoption of Peppol’s five‑corner model for real‑time reporting in France and the UAE, and stresses the need for structured data and integration across tax, procurement, and payment systems.

The May 2026 Tax & Reg Watchpoint highlights a wave of VAT reforms across Brazil, Africa, Europe, and Asia, including Brazil’s dual VAT model, new digital services taxes in Rwanda, Malawi, Botswana, and Togo, EU data‑sharing for fraud, and other cross‑border compliance changes.

EU introduces a €3 flat customs duty per HS6 item on IOSS shipments under €150, removes de minimis exemption, and targets a €2‑€3 per package handling fee, affecting cross‑border merchants from July 1, 2026.

Azerbaijan introduces mandatory VAT registration for non‑resident digital service providers exceeding a USD 10,000 B2C threshold, effective 1 September 2026, with a new online portal and a shift from automatic withholding to provider responsibility.

Poland has approved a comprehensive VAT reform package that introduces a new warehousing regime, expands 0% VAT for import‑related services, and completes the rollout of the KSeF e‑invoicing system for most businesses as of 1 April 2026. The package also includes five‑year VAT status checks, updates to energy and agriculture VAT rules, and a digital tax‑free shopping process for tourists. VAT‑registered businesses should review the changes ahead of their expected implementation later this year.

The CJEU ruled that year‑end transfer‑pricing adjustments are not automatically considered VAT‑relevant unless they are directly linked to a specific supply. The decision clarifies that only adjustments that represent additional consideration for a particular taxable transaction trigger VAT adjustments, and businesses must assess the economic and contractual context of each adjustment to determine VAT exposure.

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.

Slovakia's Ministry of Finance has drafted a VAT reform package that transposes the EU's ViDA reforms and introduces changes to the 2027 e-invoicing regime. Key adjustments include removing the reporting requirement for domestic buyers during the transition period, exempting private landlords from receiving structured invoices, soft‑landing the first three months of 2027, and tightening the deadline for intra‑EU reverse‑charge invoices to the 15th day after the transaction month.