The February 2026 Global VAT Guide provides a concise overview of recent VAT and e‑invoicing developments across Europe, the EU, Japan and Mexico. Key updates include Belgium’s new place‑of‑supply rules for virtual events, Croatia’s extended VAT return deadline, the Czech Republic’s InstatEvo transition, a temporary €3 customs duty on low‑value goods in the EU, and changes to Belgium’s federal tax payment BIC code.

The article discusses the EU’s longstanding VAT exemption for financial services, noting that the exemption was introduced in 1977 and remains in place across EU member states, Iceland, and the UK. It reviews the European Parliament’s February 2026 draft report, which calls for modernising the tax framework, highlights the 91 sector‑specific taxes that have emerged, and explores options such as abolishing the exemption for B2B services or differentiating between B2B and B2C. The piece underscores the hidden costs, market distortions, and competitiveness concerns that the current exemption creates.

China's Ministry of Finance announced a phased rollback of VAT export rebates for battery products, cutting the rebate from 9% to 6% from April 2026 to December 2026 and eliminating it entirely from January 2027. Photovoltaic product rebates will also be scrapped from April 2026. The move is expected to squeeze margins for exporters unless they can pass costs to overseas buyers, with industry experts forecasting gradual price increases of 2–3% for power batteries and 2–4% for energy storage batteries.

China has lowered the import VAT on 16 agricultural products, including refined sunflower and rapeseed oils, from 13% to 9% effective 2 February 2026. A new tariff line 1512190010 was created for refined sunflower oil, and the change applies to a range of oils and fats. Products imported from the USA remain subject to retaliatory MFN tariffs.

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.

The city of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines has announced that water bills will no longer carry the 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT) starting March 2026. Residents will receive full refunds for VAT collected between 17 November 2025 and February 2026. The measure, announced by Mayor Vilma B. Caluag, aims to reduce household costs and ease living burdens.

The Italian Revenue Agency issued Letter No. 35/2026 on 11 February 2026, confirming that a 4 % reduced VAT rate applies to vehicles adapted for individuals with motor disabilities who hold a BS‑category special driving licence with adaptation codes, even without a disability certificate under Law No. 104/1992. The guidance clarifies eligibility requirements and documentation needed for the reduced rate.

Gibraltar will introduce a 15% Transaction Tax on goods imported or manufactured locally from 10 April 2026, rising to 17% by 2028, as part of a post‑Brexit agreement with Spain to keep open borders. The new tax replaces Gibraltar’s long‑standing VAT‑free regime and includes reduced, zero‑rated, and exempt categories for specific goods and services.

The Ukrainian government is drafting a major bill to raise the VAT registration threshold for individual entrepreneurs from UAH 1 million to UAH 4 million, potentially submitting it to parliament in March. The bill also includes changes to parcel taxation, digital platform taxation, and a fixed military levy of 5%. Implementation dates are pending, with the threshold possibly taking effect after the war ends or Ukraine joins the EU.

Ecuador announced a temporary reduction of the general VAT rate for tourist services from 15% to 8% during the New Year holiday period (1–4 January 2026). The reduced rate applies to a wide range of tourist activities defined under Article 5 of the Tourism Law, including accommodation, food, entertainment, transport, and event services.