China’s Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration announced a phased rollback of the 13% export VAT rebate for lithium‑ion batteries, cutting it to 6% on April 1 2026 and abolishing it by January 1 2027. The move has spurred a sharp rise in lithium prices and a front‑loading of exports, reshaping the global battery supply chain and leveling the playing field for non‑Chinese manufacturers.

The article discusses how adopting Article 59 bis of Directive 2006/112/EC would allow Spain to exclude from VAT the portion of charter fees earned in international waters, aligning its rules with France and Italy. Currently Spain applies a flat 21 % VAT to all charter fees regardless of itinerary. The author highlights the feasibility of implementing this measure using satellite geolocation for accurate itinerary certification.

The Danish government is debating a VAT cut on food, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen favoring a general reduction rather than eliminating VAT on fruit and vegetables. The Moderates propose scrapping VAT on fruit and vegetables, while the Liberals have not set a specific cut amount. The government says a full cut cannot be implemented by this year's elections due to technical reasons.

China’s Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation announced that the VAT export tax rebate for photovoltaic (PV) and other products will be cancelled from April 2024. The rebate for battery products will be reduced from 9% to 6% from April 2024 until the end of 2026, after which it will be fully cancelled in 2025. The move aims to rationalise overseas prices, reduce trade friction and ease the national financial burden.

The China State Council adopted a new VAT Implementing Regulation on 19 December 2025, which came into force on 1 January 2026. The regulation, comprising 54 articles across six chapters, provides detailed enforcement procedures and clarifications on taxable goods, services, intangible assets, taxable persons, VAT rates, zero‑rated and exempt supplies, tax calculation, and cross‑border collection responsibilities, complementing the updated VAT law enacted in December 2024.

The EU has abolished the VAT de‑minimis rule, making VAT applicable to all commercial goods. Starting 1 July 2026, a €3 fixed duty per product type will apply to low‑value e‑commerce consignments, with a separate handling fee expected from late 2026 and the €150 duty‑free threshold slated to disappear by mid‑2028. Member states such as Romania have already introduced €5 logistics fees from 1 January 2026.

The article outlines how corporate income tax (CIT) and VAT planning, vehicle selection, and structuring choices can materially affect returns on Portuguese real estate investments. It highlights Portugal’s progressive CIT rate reduction, the special tax regime for SICs, and the conditions under which VAT exemptions can be waived to enable VAT recovery while preserving CIT benefits.