Posts by: RF Report


UAE: FTA revises administrative penalties, reduces fines across tax compliance regime

The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has implemented updated administrative penalty provisions under Cabinet Decision No. (129) of 2025, amending parts of Cabinet Decision No. (40) of 2017. The changes, effective 14 April 2026, reduce several fines and revise penalty structures to support compliance and simplify tax procedures. Key reductions include a cut in the...

US announces 30-day tax filing relief for DHS personnel affected by shutdown

The US Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), has announced tax filing relief for affected personnel at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citing financial and administrative burdens resulting from the ongoing shutdown. Under the measure, impacted DHS personnel will receive an automatic 30-day extension to file their tax...

Lithuania introduces temporary cut in diesel excise duty

The Lithuanian Parliament has adopted amendments to the Law on Excise Duties through Law No. XV-811, signed by President Gitanas Nausėda on 14 April 2026, introducing a temporary reduction in the fixed component of excise duties applicable to diesel fuel. Under the amendments, the fixed excise duty component for standard diesel is reduced from EUR...

Philippines removes excise tax on LPG, kerosene under energy emergency powers

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has removed the excise tax levied on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene, which took effect on 13 April 2026, as part of government measures to provide relief to Filipino households amid an ongoing energy emergency. The removal of the excise tax is equivalent to about PHP 3.36 per kilo...

Kenya moves introduce temporary VAT reduction on fuel amid Middle East conflict

President William Ruto has announced a KES 6.5 billion package aimed at cushioning Kenyans from high fuel prices, including a temporary reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel products from 16% to 8% over the next three months on 16 April 2026. Under the measure, the VAT rate will be cut for Motor Spirit...

US: CBP to begin first phase of duty refunds under IEEPA

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that it will launch the first phase of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool in the Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal (ACE Portal) on 20 April 2026. The tool is intended to simplify International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duty refund requests...

Uganda considers 26-27 Budget with targeted withholding taxes across key sectors

Uganda’s Parliament is considering a wide-ranging package of draft tax Bills for the 2026/2027 Budget, tabled by the government on 1 April 2026, which proposes sweeping changes across environmental levies, excise duties, VAT and income tax. The measures include environmental levy on imported secondhand clothes, higher excise duties on selected goods, targeted withholding taxes across...

Chile unveils National Reconstruction Bill with corporate tax cut

Chile’s president, Jose Antonio Kast unveiled details of the long-awaited National Reconstruction Bill today, on 16 April 2026, a reform package that places a corporate tax cut at the centre of efforts to revive growth and promote job stability. The headline measure in the package is a proposed gradual reduction in the corporate tax rate...

Australia consults draft foreign resident CGT law with renewable energy relief

The Australian Government has opened a public consultation on draft legislation to reform the foreign resident capital gains tax (CGT) regime, with the consultation running from 10 to 24 April 2026. The proposed law is designed to ensure foreign residents pay their fair share of tax in Australia while providing greater certainty for foreign investors...

Malta issues guidance on VAT exemption scope for gambling sector

Malta’s Tax and Customs Administration has issued guidelines on 6 April 2026 setting out updates to the VAT and gaming tax frameworks for the gaming sector, with changes entering into force on 1 October 2026. The measures include a clarified scope of the VAT exemption without credit for gambling supplies. The guidelines, issued by the...