Sri Lanka increases VAT rate to 18%
On 28 December 2023, Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issued the Notice to VAT Registered Persons announcing the new VAT rate of 18% from 15%—effective 1 January 2024. The notice also states that any advance payment made before 1
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Kazakhstan’s Tax Overhaul: What Foreign Investors Need to Know About the Upcoming Reforms
On 1 September 2023, President Tokaev addressed the nation and announced a number of important tax policy considerations. To achieve its economic goals, including modernization and diversification of the economy, Kazakhstan should adjust its tax
See MoreBotswana: Finance Minister presents Budget for 2021 to the National Assembly
On 1 February 2021, Dr. Thapelo Matsheka, Botswana’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development has presented National Budget for the fiscal year 2021 to the National Assembly. The Budget contains a number of important tax measures. The key
See MoreSaudi Arabia: Government hikes VAT to 15% as of July 2020
On 10 May 2020, the Saudi Arabia Government has decided to raise value-added tax (VAT) from 5% to 15% on all goods and services as of July 2020. The government will also suspend the cost of living allowance from June as part of the austerity steps.
See MoreIncreased VAT in Draft DEF (4) in Italy
A draft of the Economic and Financial Document (DEF showed that VAT hikes under fiscal safeguard clauses will remain intact for the next two years after being frozen for this year. The 10% reduced VAT rate will rise to 11.5% from January 1, 2019,
See MoreIncreased VAT Rate in South Africa from 1 April 2018
Beginning on 1st April 2018, the value added tax (VAT) rate is scheduled to increase to 15% from previous 14%. Generally, most transactions occurring on or after April 1, 2018, will be subject to VAT at the new rate unless a special time of supply
See MoreSouth Africa: Finance Minister presents the Budget for 2018
On 21 February 2018, South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, delivered the Budget for the year of 2018. The budget includes the following tax proposals: VAT rate to increase from 14% to 15%. This change is effective from 1 April
See MoreAustria: Reduced VAT rate increase in 2016
Austrian government announced in the 2016 Budget that the reduced VAT rate will increase to 13% from 10% on the following services: Cultural events, including entrance to public museums and galleries Domestic air travel Sales of certain
See MoreSlovak Republic: VAT changes approved
The parliament of Slovak Republic has accepted some changes to the VAT Act: VAT rate increase to 20% and will be established for the long term The submission deadline for the recapitulative filings is from 20 days to 25 days. If annual sales of
See MoreThailand may face VAT rate increase
The VAT rate in Thailand may need to be increased from 7 percent to 10 percent as the economic growth slows down. The 7 percent rate was intended as a temporary measure but has continued for some time. The measure had been extended by a government
See MoreFrance – VAT on house improvement rises
France has confirmed that the reduced rate of VAT on home improvements is to rise from 7 percent to 10 percent. The previous 7 percent rate will however still apply in certain situations including work that began before 1 January 2014 and cases
See MoreAustralia considers GST rise
The rate of GST in Australia is currently 10%, however the possibility of raising the rate has been under consideration for some time. An increase in the GST rate could be used to fund reductions in tax on labor and in corporation tax, helping to
See MoreFrance – VAT on hotel accommodation may be damaging the tourism sector
In the opinion of some commentators the 1 January 2014 increase in VAT on hotel accommodation may be damaging the French tourism sector. The French hotel VAT rate rose from 7% to 10% in 2014 as part of reorganization of all French VAT rates –
See MoreBelgium: VAT rate change in 2014
Belgium has suggested that it plans to raise its standard VAT rate from the current rate of 21% to fund cuts to the labour tax regime. The Finance Minister has stated that the rise would be agreed after May’s general election. The amount of the
See MoreChina: VAT on telecoms
China’s plans to include telecoms services in the VAT pilot are progressing. It was confirmed in the Chinese Parliament that plans are advanced, although there was no indication of the VAT rate to be applied. This rate is expected to be 11%,
See MoreEgypt: Reconsidering a VAT system
Egypt is considering the introduction of a value added tax (VAT) system to replace the current sales tax. It is understood that this has been identified as a priority; the likely VAT rate will be around 10% with higher rates for such items as
See MoreBelgium: Increase in resident VAT registration threshold
Belgium has proposed an increase in the resident EU VAT registration threshold. This will rise to EUR 15,000 from the current EUR €5,580 at a date in early 2014 to be confirmed. The European Commission to reduce the compliance paperwork and
See MorePortugal: Azores raises VAT
The Azores (a Portuguese independent region) has increased its standard Value Added Tax (Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado) rate from 16% to 18%, with effect from 1 January 2014. Further, the reduced VAT rate of 9% (IVA intermedio) on water, fuel,
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