Japan, Ukraine negotiate to update IPA
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 20 February 2026 that the fourth round of negotiations with Ukraine on revising the Investment Protection Agreement (2015) took place from 17 to 19 February 2026. Both parties committed to
See More
UK: HMRC publishes guidance on registration rules for tax advisers
UK HMRC published guidance on 17 February 2026, Check if and when you need to register as a tax adviser with HMRC, together with the related guidance Check if you meet HMRC's conditions to register as a tax adviser. Check if and when you need to
See More
Peru, UK tax treaty enters into force
The income and capital gains tax treaty between Peru and the UK entered into force on 21 January 2026. Signed on 20 March 2025, the agreement aims to eliminate double taxation, prevent tax evasion and avoidance, and improve dispute resolution
See More
Russia: Bank of Russia cuts key policy benchmark by 50 bps
The Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to cut the key rate by 50 basis points to 15.50% per annum on 13 February 2026. The economy continues to return to a balanced growth path. In January, price growth accelerated significantly due to
See More
US, North Macedonia reach framework for reciprocal trade deal
The Trump Administration released a Joint Statement on 12 February 2026 outlining a framework for a US-North Macedonia trade agreement that establishes a 15% tariff rate on North Macedonian goods, with the possibility of zero tariffs on select
See More
J5 warns OTC crypto desks and processors enable tax evasion, money laundering
The Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5) published two law enforcement advisories on 11 February 2026 that detail how over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency trading desks and cryptocurrency payment processors may be used to obfuscate and move
See More
Luxembourg: Chamber of Deputies approve amending protocol to tax treaty with Georgia
Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies approved the ratification of the amending protocol to the 2007 income and capital tax treaty with Georgia on 11 February 2026. Under the amendment, Article 27 of the treaty is replaced to align the exchange of
See More
Albania updates tax procedures with automated VAT filings, tighter cash limits
Albania has published Law No. 79/2025 in the Official Gazette No. 11 of 15 January 2026, amending and supplementing Law No. 9920 of 2008 on tax procedures. A key change provides that where a taxpayer fails to submit a VAT return by the deadline,
See More
UK: HMRC issues new rules for vaping duty, stamps
The UK’s tax authority (HMRC) has updated its guidance on preparing for vaping products duty and the vaping duty stamps scheme on 10 February 2026. Purpose of the policy Vaping Products Duty was introduced in autumn 2024, with Vaping Duty
See MoreUK: HMRC launches CBAM policy paper, draft legislation for consultation
The UK’s tax authority (HMRC) has released a policy paper outlining its approach to the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) on 10 February 2026. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) legislation and guidance is being developed in
See More
OECD: Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, and Uruguay sign CARF MCAA, Addendum to CRS MCAA
According to an OECD update, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, and Uruguay signed the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Information under the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF MCAA) and the Addendum to
See More
Albania shortens tax amendment deadlines, updates VAT procedures
The Albanian government has approved amendments to the Income Tax Law and VAT Law under Law No. 79/2025, published on 15 January 2026. The standard period for amending annual individual income tax returns has been reduced from 36 to 24 months.
See More
IMF: Boosting Trade and Economic Integration Across Europe and Africa
On 4 February 2026 the IMF published a departmental paper with the title North Africa: Connecting Continents, Creating Opportunities, prepared by the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia department. The publication of the departmental paper was
See More
Switzerland updates CRS MCAA participant list
Switzerland has updated its list of participating jurisdictions under the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (CRS MCAA). The update was formalised in Decision No. RO 2026 57, gazetted
See MoreSwitzerland sets 2026 interest rates for loans in CHF, foreign currencies
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration has issued two circulars outlining Financing in Swiss Francs on 29 January 2026and Financing in Foreign Currencies on 30 January 2026. Financing in Swiss Francs The following details outline the
See More
Italy, Kosovo income tax treaty enters into force
The income tax treaty between Italy and Kosovo, signed on 22 June 2021, entered into force on 21 December 2025 and applies from 1 January 2026. This agreement aims to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion and avoidance
See More
India: Tax Authority appeals high court ruling on treaty limits to dividend tax
The Indian Income Tax Department filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court on 30 January 2026, challenging a Bombay High Court ruling that held Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) could be limited by applicable tax treaties. The appeal
See More
Bosnia and Herzegovina: ITA increases cigarette excise duty for 2026
The Indirect Taxation Administration (ITA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina has raised the minimum excise duty on cigarettes and smoking tobacco, effective 1 January 2026. Cigarette prices in Bosnia and Herzegovina rose at the start of 2026 following an
See More