Lithuania: Parliament proposes phased increase in VAT registration threshold
Lithuania’s parliament (Seimas) has recently proposed an alternative draft bill for the phased increase in the value-added tax (VAT) registration threshold, which would take effect on 23 February 2025. The current threshold of EUR 45,000 would
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Nigeria to launch pilot phase of e-invoicing system
Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has initiated a stakeholder engagement on 18 February 2025 with large taxpayer groups to prepare for the upcoming pilot phase of the Merchant Buyer Solution, an e-invoicing system scheduled to launch
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Kazakhstan expands VAT exemption list for imported goods
Kazakhstan issued Order No. 11-1-4/83 on 18 February 2025, amending the previous Order No. 140 from 27 February 2018, which outlines the list of imported goods exempt from VAT under investment contracts. The updated list has been expanded from
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Greece updates VAT exemption procedures for exports and intra-community deliveries
Greece has updated the VAT exemption procedures for exports and intra-community deliveries through Decision No. A 1154/2024 on 17 February 2025, published in the Official Gazette. The changes focus on improving compliance with current
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Sri Lanka proposes VAT and income tax reforms
Sri Lanka has announced a series of tax reforms through proposed legislation published on 21 February 2025. The changes, affecting VAT and income tax, will be implemented in phases from April 2025. A key measure is the introduction of an 18% VAT
See MoreWTO Working Paper: Evolution of Preferential Trade Under Regional Trade Agreements
A WTO working paper of 7 February 2025, written by Rohini Acharya and Thakur Parajuli has the title The Evolution of Preferential Trade Under Regional Trade Agreements: Has Anything Changed? The paper looks at the question of whether the share of
See MoreLithuania: Government approves VAT Law amendments to align with EU Directive
The Lithuanian government approved amendments to the VAT Law to incorporate provisions of EU Directive 2022/542. Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas made this announcement on 12 February 2025. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance has made
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Ghana publishes review of VAT system
Ghana's Ministry of Finance has published a "A Review of Ghana's Value-Added Tax (VAT) System" on 11 February 2025. This report, jointly produced with researchers from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (UK) analyses the design and administration
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Italy: Google settles tax dispute for EUR 326 million, Amazon faces EUR 3 billion VAT evasion penalty
Google has settled a tax dispute with Italy’s tax authorities by paying EUR 326 million for alleged unpaid taxes from 2015 to 2019. The payment includes sanctions, penalties, and interest. Italian prosecutors had investigated Google for not
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Poland: Senate passes various VAT changes
Poland’s Senate has approved several VAT amendments, including extending the reverse charge mechanism for gas, electricity, and greenhouse gas services and maintaining an 8% reduced VAT rate for certain agricultural goods. Additional VAT
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EU Council approves new electronic VAT exemption certificate law
The European Commission, in a release on 18 February 2025, announced the Council had adopted a new legislative package introducing an electronic certificate for VAT exemptions, marking a significant step towards simplifying tax procedures and
See MoreLithuania: Government approves draft law to implement EU VAT scheme for small businesses
The Government of Lithuania approved the draft Law prepared by the Ministry of Finance on 5 February 2025, which proposes to transpose the new provisions of the European Union (EU) legislation adopted in the field of value added tax (VAT) that are
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UAE updates excise tax on e-smoking, VAT correction rules
The UAE Ministry of State for Financial Affairs issued Ministerial Decision No. 1 of 2025 on 3 January 2025, revising the excise tax framework for electronic smoking devices. This decision, effective from 3 January 2025, replaces Ministerial
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Czech Republic issues guidance on VAT rules for fuel cards
The Czech Republic’s General Financial Directorate (GFD) has issued updated guidelines on applying value-added tax (VAT) for fuel cards. Under the guidance, fuel card issuers can use the “commissionaire” model to act as a buyer and seller
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Hungary: EU approves reverse charge extension for insolvency supplies
Hungary has announced that the EU Council Implementing Decision 2024/3209 of 23 December 2024 has approved the extension of the reverse charge mechanism under the VAT Directive (2006/112) until 31 December 2026. This applies to supplies of capital
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Romania: VAT exemptions for hospital supplies, changes to VAT deposit return system
Romania’s government has announced an extension of the value-added tax (VAT) exemption to include certain supplies provided to hospitals on 20 December 2024. Additionally, changes were made to the VAT regime for non-reusable primary packaging as
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World Bank: Survey of Corporate Tax Incentives for Green Growth
A World Bank blog published on 13 February 2025, written by Hania Kronfol, Eduardo Antonio and Jimenez Sandoval, assesses the use of corporate tax incentives to encourage environmentally friendly investment. The blog refers to a World Bank
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Peru extends reduced VAT rates for tourism sector Until 2027
Peru’s Congress has extended reduced VAT rates for hotels, restaurants, and tourist accommodations until 31 December 2027. The rates will remain at 8% for 2025 and 2026, before increasing to 12% in 2027. The measure, introduced under Law 32219,
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