Mongolia considers draft bill to lower VAT
Mongolia’s Deputy Speaker B. Purevdorj and MPs Ch. Lodoisambuu, A. Undraa, and G. Uyankhishig proposed a bill on 13 January 2025 to reduce the VAT rate to 5%. This bill was first submitted in 2019 but was returned as it was not reviewed. The
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Turkey raises minimum threshold for VAT refund claim
The government of Turkey has raised the minimum amount for value added tax (VAT) refund claims in cases involving reduced tax rates or exemptions, raising the minimum amount from TRY 2,000 to TRY 10,000. This announcement was published by the
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Ghana: 2025 budget to ease economic pressures on households, businesses
Ghana's Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, presented the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on 11 March 2025 outlining tax policies and proposals designed to restore fiscal discipline, boost revenue generation, and ease economic
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South Africa unveils 2025 budget: Raises VAT and corporate income tax
South Africa's Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, presented the 2025 Budget Speech on 12 March 2025. The minister has proposed raising the VAT rate and corporate and personal income taxes. However, no changes to personal income tax rebates or
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Lithuania considers increasing preferential VAT rate to 12%
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has confirmed that the Government is considering increasing the preferential rate of value-added tax (VAT) from 9% to 12%. The 21% standard VAT rate and the 5% super-reduced rate will remain
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Finland drops plan to raise VAT on chocolates and candies
Finland's Ministry of Finance has announced that it will not move forward with the planned increase in the VAT rate on chocolates and candies from 14% to 25.5% on 1 June 2025. In addition, the Ministry is preparing a legislative amendment to
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Ecuador cuts VAT on tourism services for carnival holiday
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has enacted Executive Decree No. 542 on 24 February 2025, temporarily lowering the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 8% for tourism-related services during the Carnival holiday period from 1 March to 4 March
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Spain issues resolution on VAT rates for bread
The Spanish Directorate General of Taxes issued a resolution (BOE-A-2025-3950) regarding the VAT rates applied to bread on 24 February 2025. The resolution, which was published in the Official Gazette on 27 February 2025, clarifies the VAT
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Slovak Republic proposes VAT and fuel tax reductions
The Slovak Republic ’s Parliament reviewed proposals to amend VAT and excise tax rules on 15 January 2025. Key VAT changes include lowering the standard rate from 23% to 20% , expanding reduced VAT rate eligibility, and increasing the VAT
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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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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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Kazakhstan proposes VAT rate increases and exemptions in tax code overhaul
The Kazakhstan government has introduced proposed amendments to its Tax Code on 11 February 2025, aimed at reshaping the country’s VAT framework. The key changes include raising the standard VAT rate from 12% to 16%, alongside a new reduced 10%
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Netherlands: MoF seeks alternatives to cover budget gap after scrapped vat hike on media, culture, and sports
The Netherlands Ministry of Finance issued a letter to the parliament outlining alternative measures to address the budget shortfall caused by cancelling the proposed VAT increase on media, culture, and sports from 9% to 21%. The VAT increase
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Lithuania: Parliament to discuss reduced VAT rate for food and catering in spring session
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas announced that the Lithuanian Parliament will consider introducing a reduced VAT rate for food products and public catering establishments in the spring session. Though he has not pledged his support, he recognized
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EU Commission issues January 2025 infringement package, highlights VAT concerns
The European Commission has published its Infringement Package for January 2025 – addressing VAT-related issues affecting multiple countries – on 31 January 2025. The Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to those Member States who
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Poland: Parliament passes bill on VAT changes, expands excise duty to nicotine products
Poland’s lower house of Parliament (Sejm) has passed a bill delaying changes to VAT rates during its January 22-24, 2025 sittings. The Sejm also extended the reverse charge mechanism to gas, electricity and services associated with the transfer
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Slovak Republic: Parliament considers restoring 20% VAT rate
The Slovak Parliament is reviewing four proposed amendments to the VAT Act. The first bill expands the 5% reduced VAT rate to include certain mixes and doughs for baked goods. The second bill extends the 5% rate to menstrual hygiene products like
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Slovakia Republic announces new VAT rates for energy supplies
The Slovak Republic’s tax authority has released guidance on new VAT rates for energy supplies, effective from 1 January 2025. Under the guidance, the standard VAT rate will rise from 20% to 23%, and the reduced rate (including electricity)
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