The EU Parliament has reopened debate on the optional reverse charge mechanism, which is set to expire on 31 December 2026. While the tool has proven effective in curbing missing trader intra‑community fraud in high‑risk sectors, concerns remain about VAT distortions and the need for complementary digital reporting controls. The review signals that reverse charge will stay part of the anti‑fraud toolkit but will be increasingly paired with real‑time transaction monitoring under the ViDA framework.
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FlavorCloud · about 21 hours ago
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.
VATCalc · 9 days ago
Continuous Transaction Controls (CTCs) are shifting VAT review from post‑return to real‑time monitoring, driven by e‑invoicing and e‑reporting mandates across the EU. The EU requires intra‑community transactions to be e‑reported within 10 days, while Spain and Poland have tighter deadlines of 4 days and live e‑invoicing to KSeF, respectively. VATCalc offers a single tax engine that integrates VAT determination, e‑invoicing, e‑reporting and return preparation for 30+ countries.
Deloitte Luxembourg · 20 days ago
On 13 May 2024, the CJEU ruled that contractual price adjustments in intragroup transactions are not considered a supply of services for VAT purposes, meaning such adjustments fall outside the scope of VAT. The decision applies across the EU, including Portugal and Luxembourg, and underscores the need for case‑by‑case assessment of transfer pricing adjustments. The ruling does not change VAT rates or thresholds but clarifies the treatment of these adjustments.
Law360 · 25 days ago
The EU's top court ruled that intercompany pricing adjustments between the former General Motors unit and Stellantis do not alter VAT liability, meaning the Portuguese government should not have increased the VAT bill for Stellantis. The decision clarifies that such pricing shifts are not subject to VAT adjustments.
VatCalc · about 1 month ago
EU finance ministers endorsed an amendment to Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 that will allow OLAF and EPPO to query Member State VAT systems, but the amendment restricts access to read‑only, case‑by‑case searches and bans bulk extraction or AI analysis. The measure is pending Parliament approval, likely in July 2026, and will be routed through VIES, CESOP and Eurofisc channels.
Global VAT Compliance · about 1 month ago
The European Commission’s proposed EU bill would require member states to share VAT data with anti‑fraud agencies, but Spain has raised objections over data access provisions and inconsistencies. The proposal, introduced in November, seeks to strengthen cooperation against VAT fraud, which the Commission estimates costs the EU €90 billion annually. Spain plans amendments ahead of the upcoming EU finance ministers meeting.
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Key Takeaways
The authorisation under Articles 199a and 199b of the EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC expires on 31 December 2026.
High‑risk sectors such as emissions trading, telecoms, and electronics have experienced measurable reductions or elimination of MTIC fraud.
The Parliament plans to complement reverse charge with digital reporting under the ViDA framework, Eurofisc data sharing, and real‑time transaction monitoring.
It is designed for rapid deployment in emerging fraud scenarios but remains unused due to restrictive conditions.
It concentrates VAT collection risk at the final stage of the supply chain, potentially shifting fraud to untargeted sectors.
Primary source
Read the full article at VATCalcThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 6 April 2026. It relates to VAT developments in European Union. The original source is VATCalc.
