The VATfaqs digest
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In Nepal, households using more than 50 units of electricity per month are now subject to a 5% VAT on the excess consumption. The new rule applies from 17 July 2026, exempting the first 50 units while charging 5% VAT on any usage above that threshold.
France's digital services tax (DST) imposes a 3% rate on digital intermediation and targeted advertising services supplied by large firms when they exceed €750 million worldwide and €25 million France. The tax is calculated on taxable sums received, multiplied by a France-presence coefficient, and it creates a cascading effect that can disproportionately burden low-margin businesses.
Global e-Invoicing Requirements Tracker
Finland's Supreme Administrative Court clarified that a standard 10% VAT penalty applies to conflicting VAT returns filed for the same period. The decision, posted online on 18 June 2026, confirms that the penalty is triggered by human error and failure to revoke a service provider's authorization.
Ireland has reduced the VAT rate for hospitality services to 9% from 1 July 2026, replacing the previous 13.5% rate. The change applies to restaurants, catering, hot takeaway food and hairdressing services, and will remain until 31 December 2030.
Ukraine has released practical guidance to help large taxpayers prepare SAF-T UA files without technical errors. The guidance covers file structure, data quality, and integration with accounting systems, and includes FAQs and recommendations for passing automated checks.
The UK and EU customs clearance for animal products requires both SPS health checks and customs declarations to be reconciled. This guide explains the dual-track process, key notification steps, and a pre-clearance checklist to avoid delays.
Germany faces significant VAT calculation errors due to inaccurate product master data, as illustrated by recent court rulings and rate changes. The article explains how misclassifications arise, the impact of legal updates such as Austria's new 4.9% rate, and recommends centralised VAT classification systems to avoid costly mistakes.
Croatia clarified the VAT treatment of pharmaceutical products imported without marketing authorization, confirming a 5% reduced rate for prescription medications with HALMED or EC approval. The clarification was issued by the Croatian Tax Administration on 25 June 2026.
Ireland's VAT Flat Rate Scheme for farmers is reviewed annually, with the flat-rate addition falling to 4.5% from 1 January 2026. The scheme allows unregistered farmers to add a percentage charge to invoices to VAT-registered businesses, compensating for input VAT.
France will enforce mandatory e-invoicing from 1 September 2026. All taxable persons must receive e-invoices, while large and intermediate enterprises must issue them. The deadline was extended from 2024 to 2026 under the Finance Law for 2024.
The UK requires VAT registration once taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. This guide explains the threshold, registration deadlines, and penalties.
Nigeria's Revenue Service announced that e-invoicing will strengthen tax compliance and curb revenue leakages. The rollout will standardise invoice formats nationwide and is expected to improve the tax-to-GDP ratio.
Austria: The Federal Finance Court ruled that a freight forwarder cannot claim an import VAT refund for perfume imports to France due to lack of diligence. The court emphasised the need to verify the customer’s VAT number, maintain transport documents, and confirm the recipient to qualify for a refund.
France has released a practical guide for the start-up phase of its e-invoicing reform, effective 1 September 2026, stating that sanctions will not apply to businesses following a serious compliance trajectory. The guide outlines how firms should handle invoices outside the electronic circuit, preserve VAT deduction rights, and document corrective actions.
Utah has widened its sales and use tax rules for digital products, bringing many streaming and subscription-based digital services into the tax net from 1 July 2026. The new law, Senate Bill 162, taxes payments for access to digital content regardless of delivery method.
Belgium has announced that from 2027 the Federal Public Service Finance will take over the role of Belgian Peppol Authority, replacing FPS BOSA. Structured electronic invoicing has been mandatory for almost all domestic B2B transactions between Belgian VAT-liable businesses since 1 January 2026, requiring exchange via the Peppol network in Peppol BIS format unless another EN 16931-compliant format is agreed. The transfer of the Peppol Authority role is linked to Belgium’s future e-reporting plans involving continuous transaction controls.
France will enforce its e-invoicing and e-reporting mandate from 1 September 2026, requiring all VAT-registered businesses to receive electronic invoices. Large enterprises and medium-sized companies must issue e-invoices from 1 September 2026, while SMEs and micro-enterprises must start issuing from 1 September 2027.
Europe: US e-commerce sellers face complex VAT registration when expanding into multiple EU markets. The article outlines how a US parent company must separately register for VAT in Germany, France and the Netherlands, and explains the need for distinct legal entities and EORI numbers. It also discusses the importance of aligning stock locations with VAT obligations to avoid backdated filings.
Nigeria's NRS and DigiTax say e-invoicing will improve tax compliance and reduce revenue leakages. Medium taxpayers are expected to begin compliance in the third quarter of 2026, with full adoption targeted by the end of 2028.
Philippines: The Supreme Court ruling and the CREATE MORE Act clarify VAT zero-rating eligibility for domestic market enterprises. DMEs that are high-value, with P15-billion investment or $100-million export sales, may qualify, while others may face 12% VAT on local purchases.