What is the planned VAT rate change in Lebanon and when will it take effect?

Lebanon plans to increase VAT from 11% to 12% pending parliamentary approval; the change will take effect once Parliament approves it.

How have fuel prices been affected by the VAT announcement?

Petrol prices were increased by 25% immediately, while diesel prices remain unchanged.

What other tax-related measures is the Lebanese government pursuing?

The government is working to improve tax collection and customs duties, issue collection orders for quarries, and review maritime properties.

Lebanon VAT rise to 12% in 2026

Lebanon raises VAT, fuel prices while boosting public sector pay

Middle East Online · 2 months ago

Lebanon’s cabinet approved a one‑percentage‑point increase in VAT from 11% to 12% and raised the price of a 20‑litre petrol canister by 300,000 Lebanese pounds. The government also announced a pay rise for public sector workers and retirees, while abolishing a diesel levy and increasing customs fees on shipping containers.

ZATCA e-invoicing mandate in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Guide

The Invoicing Hub · 7 days ago

Saudi Arabia has rolled out a comprehensive e‑invoicing mandate led by ZATCA, requiring all companies to issue and transmit electronic invoices via the Fatoora platform. The phased implementation includes mandatory clearance for B2B/B2G and e‑reporting for B2C, with progressive waves based on turnover thresholds. As of March 31, 2026, companies with annual turnover above SAR 750 000 must comply, with further thresholds set for June 2026.

UAE Natural Shortage Excise Tax Clarified

DocNova · 27 days ago

The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) clarified that natural shortages of excise goods in designated zones are exempt from excise tax from 1 July 2025, provided they meet specific verification criteria. Losses due to theft, negligence or operational inefficiency remain taxable. Taxable persons must obtain an independent certification report, valid for one year, and declare shortages via EmaraTax not exceeding the permitted percentage.

Bahrain VAT Import Deposits Recovery Rules

Docnova · 27 days ago

Bahrain’s National Bureau for Revenue released guidance version 1.5 on March 11 2026 clarifying that VAT paid as deposits during import is not immediately recoverable. Registered persons must obtain a customs declaration receipt confirming a ‘VAT confiscation’ status before they can reclaim the VAT, and the recovery must occur within five years from the end of the calendar year in which the deposit becomes recoverable.

UAE E‑Invoicing: Interpreting the VAT Group Grace Period and Its Wider Implications

LinkedIn Article by Prakriti Dangi · about 1 month ago

The UAE Ministry of Finance released e‑invoicing guidelines in February 2026, clarifying that intra‑VAT group transactions fall within the e‑invoicing scope and introducing a 24‑month grace period starting 1 January 2027. The phased rollout begins on 1 January 2027 for Phase 1 and 1 July 2027 for Phase 2, with the grace period calendar‑based, giving Phase 1 entities full relief but only 18 months to Phase 2 entities. Corporate tax groups receive no such relief.

UAE eInvoicing: Why Field 5 and Field 11 matter more than they appear

LinkedIn Article by Mustafa Syed · about 1 month ago

The article explains how UAE’s new e‑invoicing regime requires more than just XML formatting; it demands accurate interpretation of key data fields. Field 5, an 8‑character binary sequence, flags transaction scenarios such as free‑zone or export, while Field 11, the seller’s electronic address, identifies the network endpoint for responses. Correctly mapping these fields is essential for compliance and accurate VAT processing.