Philippines: BIR clarifies VAT rules on digital services
The Philippinesโ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has released Revenue Regulation 003/2025, providing a comprehensive guide on implementing value-added tax (VAT) for digital services under Republic Act No. 12023. The regulation also defines the
See MoreTurkey further extends force majeure for 2023 earthquake-affected taxpayers
Turkey's Revenue Administration has extended the state of force majeure on 10 January 2025, which was introduced after the 6 February 2023 earthquake for taxpayers with an annual turnover of less than TRY 2.5 million. The state of force majeure,
See MorePoland: EU approves extension of VAT split payment system
The European Commission (EC) has published a proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on 14 January 2025, authorising Poland to extend its split payment system for VAT collection. After a period of a voluntary split payment system, Poland
See MoreGreece: EU Council approves mandatory e-invoicing plan
The EU Commission has published a proposal for a Council Implementing Decision, on 13 January 2024, authorising Greece to introduce a special measure derogating from Articles 218 and 232 of Directive 2006/112/EC to be able to impose mandatory
See MoreWTO Working Paper: Continuing Significance of MFN Trading Terms
A WTO working paper of 15 January 2025, written by Tomasz Gonciarz and Thomas Verbeet, has the title Significance of most-favoured-nation terms in global trade: A comprehensive analysis. Under the WTO's MFN trading principle, member countries of
See MoreHungary clarifies place of supply rules for online events
Hungaryโs tax authority has published a summary of new place of supply rules for VAT for online events on 2 January 2025. The summary clarifies that the place of supply for services granting access to cultural, artistic, scientific,
See MoreIMF Working Paper: Is Tax Policy Supporting a Costly Industrial Policy in Mozambique
An IMF working paper written by Santos Bila, Utkarsh Kumar and Alexis Meyer-Cirkel with the title Is Tax Policy Costly Industrial Policy in Mozambique? Finds that tax advantages do not compensate for shortcomings in economic conditions. The
See MoreCzech Republic introduces 2025 VAT Law amendments
The Czech Republic has announced it will amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act to include a VAT base correction period extension and changes to the rules for correcting the VAT base. The VAT base correction period has been extended to seven years,
See MoreIMF Working Paper: Strengthening Tax Governance Through Legal Design
An IMF working paper of 17 January 2025 written by L. Sofrona, C. Waerzeggers and B. Crowley with the title Strengthening Tax Governance Through Legal Design looks at tax governance in tax administration and how this can be strengthened. The
See MoreIsrael issues guidance on increased VAT rate
Israelโs Tax Authority has issued guidance on the increase in the standard VAT rate from 17% to 18%, effective 1 January 2025. The guidance provides an explanation of how to apply the correct VAT rate to transactions such as goods, services,
See MoreIndonesia: President announces 12% VAT limited to luxury goods, services
Indonesiaโs President has announced that the VAT rate will increase from 11% to 12%, starting 1 January 2025. However, the VAT increase will only be applicable to luxury goods and services like private jets, yachts, cruise ships, and luxury
See MoreUAE clarifies VAT on crypto mining
The UAE Federal Tax Authority issued VAT Public Clarification - VATP039, providing clarification on the treatment of cryptocurrency mining on 13 January 2025. In a case of proof of work, a person can mine crypto currency for his own account, or
See MoreDenmark gazettes law amending VAT Act, exempts taxation of services provided by authors and artists
Denmarkโs Official Gazette published Law No. 1695 on 30 December 2024 which amends the country's Value Added Tax (VAT) Act to address the taxation of services provided by authors and artists, including performing artists, related to their
See MoreLithuania considers reduced VAT on essential foods, services
The Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) accepted for consideration Draft Bill No. XVP-90 which aims to introduce a reduced 9% VAT rate on essential food products on 30 December 2024. The proposed bill also includes a measure to extend the lower VAT
See MoreWorld Bank: Global Economic Prospects
The World Bank report Global Economic Prospects was issued in January 2025. The report notes that global growth is projected to remain steady at 2.7% in 2025/26, but this relatively low growth rate will not be sufficient to promote sustained
See MoreIMF: Briefing on the World Economic Outlook
In the briefing on the latest World Economic Outlook on 17 January 2024, the Director of the IMFโs Research Department confirmed that global growth is projected to remain steady at 3.3% in 2025 and 2026. Globally, inflation is expected to decline
See MoreIMF Updates World Economic Outlook
On 17 January 2025 the IMF published the update to the World Economic Outlook, with the subtitle Global Growth: Divergent and Uncertain. The update notes that global growth is expected to remain stable at 3.3% in both 2025 and 2026, below the
See MoreAzerbaijan amends tax code: Cuts branch profit tax, introduces new corporate tax and VAT exemptions
Azerbaijan has approved several amendments to the Azerbaijan Tax Code on 27 December 2024. Key amendments include a reduction of branch profit tax rate, new corporate income tax exemptions, and revised transfer pricing penalties. Reduction of
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