Russia: FTS clarifies rules on reduced VAT rates and exemption criteria
The Federal Tax Service (FTS) of Russia has issued a reminder on the proper application of reduced VAT rates of 5% and 7%. This announcement was made by FTS on 17 March 2025. Organizations and entrepreneurs must apply these rates consecutively
See MoreSlovak Republic updates VAT return form template
The Slovak Republic’s Ministry of Finance presented an updated VAT return form and template on 21 March 2025. The updates align with the legislative changes to VAT law, which go into effect on 1 July 2025. Changes to VAT law will activate the
See MoreIreland extends 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity until 31 October 2025
Irish Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien has welcomed the government decision to extend the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity by a further six months – to 31 October. The 9% VAT rate had been
See MoreSlovak Republic limits input VAT deduction to 50% on motor vehicles and motorcycles
The Slovak Republic Ministry of Finance has announced that businesses can only claim a 50% VAT deduction on passenger vehicles, fuel, repairs, and maintenance, effective 1 July 2025. This will raise acquisition and operating costs by over
See MorePortugal adopts EU small business scheme for cross-border trade
Portugal has published Decree-Law No. 35/2025 of 24 March 2025 in the Official Gazette, introducing measures to align with EU VAT law for small businesses. The Decree includes the EU small business scheme for cross-border supplies under Council
See MoreCyprus offers VAT exemption to rental property owners
Cyprus’ Commissioner of Taxation published Circular 2/2025 on 24 March 2025, outlining guidelines for rental property owners who haven't opted to exempt their property from VAT. The circular is valid until 31 December 2025. In Cyprus, renting
See MoreGhana: Parliament passes 2025 budget measures
Ghana's Ministry of Finance announced that the Parliament approved several 2025 Budget measures on 26 March 2025. The passage of these bills marks a major leap for economic reform and a significant step in fulfilling the government’s commitment
See MoreNamibia announces tax proposals in 2025-26 budget
Namibia’s Ministry of Finance unveiled the 2025-26 budget on 27 March 2025, outlining several tax proposals, including corporate tax reductions, VAT changes, and higher excise duties. Namibia’s national budget has risen to NAD 106.3 billion,
See MoreUN Tax Committee: Guidance on Indirect Taxes
At the meeting of the UN Tax Committee on 27 March 2025 the subcommittee dealing with indirect taxation matters put forward some potential issues that the next membership of the Tax Committee may wish to consider at future sessions. The
See MoreUN Tax Committee: Extractive Industries Taxation
On 25 March 2025 the Subcommittee on the Extractive Industries taxation presented to the UN Tax Committee a draft supplement to Chapter 5 (tax incentives) of the UN Handbook on Selected Issues for Taxation of the Extractive Industries; draft
See MoreGermany updates guidance on VAT rules for small businesses
The German Ministry of Finance has updated its guidance on special VAT rules for small businesses on 18 March 2025. These changes follow the approval, in December 2024, of the increase in VAT exemption thresholds to take effect from 1 January
See MoreBulgaria: Parliament approves lower VAT registration threshold starting April 2025
Bulgaria's parliament passed the State Budget Bill for the year on 21 March 2025 which includes amendments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act. The amendments lower the mandatory VAT registration threshold from the current BGN 166,000 to BGN
See MoreNorway signs renegotiated agreement with the EU to combat international VAT fraud
Norway's Ambassador to the EU, Anders H. Eide, signed a renegotiated agreement with the EU on administrative cooperation in VAT on 2 October 2024. The agreement aims to combat international VAT fraud. The full announcement was published on 21
See MoreBulgaria: Parliament adopts 2025 state budget
Bulgaria’s National Assembly has adopted the draft law on the state budget for 2025 at its second reading on 21 March 2025. The 2025 budget proposes no tax increases and projects a deficit of 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP). It forecasts
See MoreUN Tax Committee: Transfer Pricing Subcommittee Discusses Future Guidance
On 26 March 2025 the UN Tax Committee discussed their transfer pricing work. Since the previous session of the Committee, the Subcommittee on Transfer Pricing has gathered feedback from members on possible future workstreams that could be pursued by
See MoreUN: New Article 12AA on Taxation of Services Presented for Approval
The 30th session of the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters is being held from 24 to 27 March 2025. On 25 March 2025 the Subcommittee on Taxation Issues Related to the Digitalized and Globalized Economy presented
See MoreBelgium: B2B e-invoicing mandate excludes non-established entities
Belgium’s government confirmed on its official e-invoicing page on 19 March 2024 that non-established VAT-registered entities in Belgium are excluded from the e-invoicing mandate. However, the legislation has yet to be amended to include this
See MoreEU approves Estonia’s special VAT measure on passenger cars
The EU has published Council Implementing Decision 2025/539 (the Decision) on 21 March 2025, which allows Estonia to continue applying a special VAT measure, deviating from parts of the VAT Directive (2006/112). Under the Decision, Estonia can
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