Switzerland: Parliament approves VAT hike to support AHV pension costs
Switzerland's parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that will allow an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rates from 2028 to help finance the country's newly introduced 13th monthly pension payment under the Old-Age and Survivors'
See MoreSaudi Arabia: Council of Ministers approves amendments to GCC unified VAT agreement
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved amendments to the GCC Unified VAT Agreement on covering cross-border supplies within the Gulf, VAT recovery mechanisms, import VAT collection, and the sharing of tax information between member state
See MoreSweden lowers VAT rate on admission to dance events
Sweden has enacted an amendment to the Value Added Tax Act (2023:200) that lowers the VAT rate on admission to dance events from 25% to 6%. The change was approved by the Riksdag and formalised through Act SFS 2026:841, which was issued on 28 May
See MoreAustria gazettes law on reduced VAT for on staple foods
Austria has published a law in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl. I No. 37/2026) on 10 June 2026 introducing reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) rate for a range of essential food products under amendments to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (UStG 1994). The
See MorePoland extends lower VAT on fuels through June 2026, withdraws excise cuts
Poland’s government announced on 15 June 2026 that it has prolonged the reduced VAT rate on petrol, diesel, and pure biocomponents until 30 June 2026, maintaining relief measures introduced under its CPN programme aimed at stabilising fuel prices
See MoreChile: SII extends deadline to secure substitute 1.5% tax scheme for open-air market vendors
Chile's tax authority (SII) announced, on 12 June 2026, that it has extended the time for open-air market vendors to secure the permits they need to join a new simplified tax scheme. The move addresses implementation delays and gives informal
See MoreBangladesh to introduce major tax relief package to boost investment, to reduce AIT and VAT across various sectors
The Bangladesh government is preparing sweeping tax cuts across multiple sectors in its upcoming 2026-27 budget, designed to make Bangladesh a more attractive investment destination. The push includes reduced advance income tax (AIT) rates, slashed
See MoreItaly: Personal boats can enter Italy VAT-free under new EU ruling
Italy's Revenue Agency has issued a clarification on 26 May 2026 confirming that pleasure boats transferred from outside the EU qualify for VAT exemption when imported by relocating residents, even when held through foreign corporate
See MoreBulgaria considers 0% VAT on essential food items under draft bill
Bulgaria’s National Assembly is reviewing a draft bill submitted on 18 May 2026 that proposes introducing a 0% VAT rate on “socially beneficial and essential foods and drinks” under the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act. The proposed measure would
See MoreUK cuts VAT on tourist attractions to 5% in summer relief package
The UK announced on 21 May 2026 a temporary reduction in value-added tax (VAT) for tourist attractions and related services from 25 June 2026 to 1 September 2026, aimed at supporting families and the hospitality sector amid rising energy costs
See MoreAustria: Parliament approves draft VAT reform introducing reduced rate on staple foods
The Austrian Parliament (Nationalrat) approved on 21 May 2026 a draft bill introducing a reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on staple foods. The measure forms part of the Austrian Value Added Tax Reform Act 2026 and still requires approval by the
See MoreMalawi enacts 2026–27 budget, introduces VAT on digital services by foreign companies
Malawi has enacted the legislation implementing the 2026–2027 Budget, which was published in the Official Gazette on 14 April 2026 and entered into force on 15 April 2026. This follows after Malawi’s Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and
See MoreCzech Republic proposes key VAT amendments for 2027-28
The Czech Ministry of Finance has unveiled two draft amendments to the VAT Act, introducing significant changes scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2027 and 1 July 2028, addressing bad debt provisions, hospitality VAT rates, and partial
See MoreSwitzerland considers extending accommodation VAT rate to 2035
The Swiss Federal Council published a dispatch on 7 May 2026 concerning a draft amendment to extend the reduced VAT rate of 3.8% for the accommodation services sector, including hotels. Under current legislation, the reduced VAT rate of 3.8% is
See MoreAustria: Parliament considers VAT cut on essential food items
The Austrian Parliament is reviewing a draft bill amending the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (Umsatzsteuergesetz 1994) to introduce a reduced VAT rate of 4.9% on selected basic foodstuffs. The measure was approved by the Finance Committee on 12 May 2026
See MorePoland further extends temporary VAT, excise relief on motor fuels
In an announcement on 13 May 2026, Poland's Minister of Finance and Economy extended temporary reductions in VAT and excise tax on motor fuels until 31 May 2026, maintaining relief measures initially introduced to counter price volatility stemming
See MoreZambia introduces temporary VAT zero rating on petrol, diesel
Zambia has implemented temporary fiscal measures on fuel following a Cabinet decision on 31 March 2026, chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema, in response to what it described as an emergency in the national fuel supply situation. The Cabinet
See MoreIndonesia offers VAT relief on domestic flights amid fuel price surge
Indonesia has introduced a temporary tax break for domestic air travellers as rising global aviation fuel costs threaten to make flights unaffordable for many citizens. The Finance Minister Regulation Number 24 of 2026 (PMK-24), issued on 24 April
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