Posts by: RF Report


Belgium: Tax authorities announce VAT provision account to launch in May 2026

Belgium’s tax authority, the Federal Public Service Finance, announced on 4 March 2026 that Belgium will replace the existing VAT current account with a VAT provision account from 1 May 2026, as part of its tax modernisation initiative launched under legislation effective 1 January 2025 to digitalise and streamline VAT collection. This modernisation project will...

Brazil launches tax calculator for betting, fantasy sports winnings

Brazil’s tax authority, the Federal Revenue Service (RFB) unveiled a digital tool on 2 March 2026 to help citizens calculate income tax on earnings from betting platforms (BETs) and fantasy sports competitions. Taxpayers must use data from ComprovaBet—a document summarising annual betting results that operators must provide by the last business day of February each...

Hong Kong to Gazette Inland Revenue Amendment Bill 2026

The Hong Kong Government will gazette the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions, Concessionary Deductions and Allowances) Bill 2026 on 6 March, introducing concessionary tax measures announced in the 2025 Policy Address and the 2026-27 Budget. This announcement was made on 4 March 2026. The Bill covers adjustments to salaries tax and tax under personal assessment,...

Namibia: 2026-27 budget includes accelerated depreciation for businesses

Namibia’s Parliament has released the Budget Statement for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 on 26 February 2026, introducing significant changes to the tax code to support both individuals and businesses. The key tax measures are: Corporate and business incentives: New measures include a review of depreciation allowance (capital allowance) rules to support investment. Accelerated capital depreciation...

Germany: Tax Authorities restrict treaty benefits on dividend payments to US parent companies

The German Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern, BZSt) has recently adopted a restrictive administrative practice concerning withholding tax on dividend distributions paid by German companies (GmbHs) to US parent companies. This shift comes without any formal change in statute or treaty language, signalling a significant administrative pivot. German tax authorities are now challenging...

Sweden to cut VAT on dance events

The Swedish Government has submitted a bill to the Riksdag proposing a reduced VAT rate on admission to dance events, including dance band performances. The measure, announced in the 2026 Budget Bill, aims to promote dance and cultural activities across Sweden. This announcement was made on 3 March 2026. Currently, admission fees for dance events...

Serbia sets 2025 supplementary individual tax threshold

Serbia has announced the threshold and rates for the 2025 supplementary annual tax on individuals, affecting both residents and non-residents. Individuals whose net income exceeds RSD 5,439,096, equal to three times the average annual salary, are required to file an annual income tax return. Residents report worldwide income, while non-residents report only income sourced in...

Hong Kong to raise stamp duty on high-value homes

Hong Kong’s Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be gazetted on 6 March to increase the stamp duty rate for residential property transactions where the amount or value of consideration exceeds HKD 100 million, from 4.25% to 6.5%, as announced in the 2026‑27 Budget. A Government spokesperson said the proposal upholds the “affordable users pay”...

Ethiopia: Council of Ministers unveils new investment tax, customs incentives

Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers has introduced Regulation No. 586/2026, published in the Official Gazette on 23 February 2026, establishing a new system of tax and customs incentives to encourage investment in strategic sectors. The regulation targets agriculture, manufacturing, import substitution, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, environmental protection, mining and energy, service industries, job creation, and balanced regional...

France issues VAT guidance for cross-border distance sales

The French tax authorities released guidance detailing VAT rules for international commercial transactions on 4 March 2026. The guidance focuses on distance sales of imported goods delivered to consumers in France or other European Union countries. It specifically addresses merchants who opt not to use the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) simplified filing system. The...