Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Kazakhstan has officially established the Atyrau Special Economic Zone (SEZ) under Government Decree No. 1028, dated 1 December 2025. The SEZ will operate until 2036, aiming to stimulate industrial development, attract investment, and foster technological advancement. The Atyrau SEZ will focus on sectors including chemical, petrochemical, metallurgical, mineral products, metalworking, rubber and plastics, and other...
Colombia’s Senate announced that its Fourth Commission voted down the government’s proposed 2026 tax reform during the third joint session of Congress’s Economic Commissions, with 4 votes in favour and 9 against. This announcement was made on 9 December 2025. The Government’s Financing Law, aimed at raising COP 16.3 trillion in various taxes from 2026,...
Oman’s Tax Authority (OTA) has released a draft electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) data dictionary for consultation on 1 December 2025. This is part of preparations for the country’s e-invoicing rollout in August 2026. The data dictionary, which forms part of the e-invoicing framework, defines the data elements required to issue a compliant e-invoice. It comprises three...
The Irish Department of Finance and Revenue has opened a joint public consultation on the modernisation of Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT) and Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT), the expansion of withholding tax to the platform economy, and the introduction of personalised deduction rates for self-employed workers on 5 December 2025. Revenue’s eWHT Consultation Hub provides...
The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) issued the Administrative Exceptions VAT Guide on 5 December 2025. The guide explains how registrants can apply for VAT administrative exceptions, which provide concessions allowed under the VAT Law and its Executive Regulation. The guide covers specific exceptions, including rules on the issuance and details of Tax Invoices and...
Chile’s tax authority (SII) issued Circular No. 65 on 3 December 2025, addressing the activation of Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clauses in Chile’s tax treaties with Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and Uruguay. These clauses are triggered by the recent entry into force of Chile’s tax agreements with India, Italy, and Japan, and affect withholding tax rates...
The Cyprus Council of Ministers issued Decree No. 337/2025 on 21 November 2025, which extended the temporary zero VAT rate on certain essential goods through 31 December 2026. The products included under this measure are baby milk, infant diapers, adult diapers, women’s hygiene products, fresh or chilled vegetables, and fresh fruits. Earlier, the Cyprus Tax...
The Swiss Federal Council opened a consultation on amendments to the Value Added Tax Act on 5 December 2025. The changes aim to implement two parliamentary motions: the extension of platform taxation to electronic services (Motion WAK-S 23.3012) and adjustments to the taxation of bundled services (Motion Engler 18.3235). Since 1 January 2025, online platforms,...
Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service (RFB) announced on 10 December 2025 the launch of Confia, its Cooperative and Tax Compliance program, marking a historic moment for the relationship between the tax authorities and taxpayers. Federal government authorities, representatives from the productive sector, and international organisations participated in the event’s opening panel and highlighted the program’s cultural...
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2026-05 on 9 December 2025, announcing new guidance on tax benefits for Health Savings Account participants under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. These changes expand HSA eligibility, which allows more people to save and to pay for healthcare costs through tax-free HSAs....