Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

Bangladesh's National Revenue Board has extended the deadline for submitting online VAT returns for the February 2026 tax period to 29 March 2026, a week later than originally scheduled. The extension, granted under Section 64(1a) of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, was issued to accommodate government holidays and e‑VAT system performance issues.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the filing deadline for February 2026 Value Added Tax (VAT) returns to 29 March 2026. The extension was issued to address technical congestion and reduced processing speed in the E‑VAT system following public holidays. Taxpayers are now given additional time to submit their returns electronically.

The Norwegian Tax Administration issued Binding Advance Ruling No. 1/2026 on March 11, clarifying VAT invoicing timing rules for construction projects. The ruling addresses whether the contract sum can be invoiced to the developer upon delivery of the building and whether VAT can be deferred until that time. It applies to group companies and their parent and developer entities.

The European Court of Justice issued three rulings on 12 March 2026 that clarified VAT deduction rights across the EU. The decisions confirmed that Spain can maintain its entertainment expense restrictions under Article 176, that late invoices do not preclude deductions if claimed within the limitation period, and that technical failures in electronic refund transmission cannot cancel refund claims. These rulings reinforce that VAT rights cannot be undermined by excessive formalism or administrative shortcomings.

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on 12 March 2026 that Spain may continue to deny input VAT recovery on entertainment and representation expenses, even when linked to taxable activity, under Article 176’s standstill clause. The decision confirms that EU law permits Member States to retain historic exclusions, affecting Spanish businesses incurring client hospitality costs. The ruling highlights the lack of harmonisation across the EU and the need for firms to review their VAT recovery policies.

The Court of Justice of the European Union, in Case C‑515/24, confirmed that Spain’s limitation on input VAT deduction for entertainment expenses is compatible with EU law. The ruling clarifies that the exclusion was maintained under Article 176 of the VAT Directive because it existed at the time of Spain’s accession to the EU, thereby strengthening the Spanish legislature’s position while leaving room for future disputes over expense classification.

Italy has postponed its planned €2 customs handling fee for e‑commerce parcels from outside the EU until the EU-level fee takes effect on 1 July 2026. The fee would apply to parcels not exceeding €150 intrinsic value, covering both B2C and B2B shipments, and is expected to generate €123 million in 2026 and €245 million from 2027 onward. The EU will introduce an interim €3 levy from 1 July 2026 and a €2 levy from 1 November 2026, with plans to remove the €150 de‑minimis exemption in 2028.

Belize has legislated mandatory e-invoicing and e-receipts for B2B transactions, effective from 2027, as confirmed in the 2026/7 Budget. The country’s General Sales Tax (GST) remains at a 12.5% standard rate, with registration required for businesses exceeding BZD 75,000 in annual taxable supplies. Monthly GST returns are due by the 15th of the following month.

Multi‑country e‑invoicing is evolving from a compliance exercise into a global business transformation initiative. The article outlines four strategic pillars—selecting a single global supplier, partnering with a tax‑technology expert, ensuring clean ERP‑driven data, and leveraging automation—to turn compliance into operational value. These elements can help multinational organisations reduce complexity, improve accuracy, and unlock broader financial insights.

The French Tax Authority issued guidance on March 4, 2026 clarifying VAT obligations for dropshipping operations that do not use the IOSS. The guidance sets thresholds for import VAT liability, specifies when the seller or consumer is responsible, and requires non‑EU sellers to appoint a tax representative. It also defines the place of taxation for cross‑border distance sales.

On 27 February 2026, Bulgaria’s National Revenue Agency issued Order No. Z‑TsU‑30‑359, updating the SAF‑T schema to version 1.0.2 effective 1 April 2026. The order mandates monthly SAF‑T submissions starting January 2026, with a phased timetable for large, mid‑sized and other taxpayers, and provides a six‑month grace period for the first filing. The required reports include monthly General Ledger, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Sales and Purchase invoices, annual Fixed Assets, and on‑demand Inventory.

Bulgarian National Revenue Agency has issued new guidance amending SAF‑T technical documentation, introducing schema version 1.0.2 as the mandatory format for all SAF‑T submissions. The updated specifications take effect on 1 April 2026, with deadlines set in the Tax and Social Security Procedure Code. Businesses and software providers have until that date to align their systems with the new schema.

Basware’s blog post discusses the lack of a nationwide e‑invoicing mandate in the U.S. and urges finance leaders to build proactive compliance systems before future regulations arrive. It cites that 47 % of U.S. companies have struggled with market expansion due to missed deadlines, 83 % see fragmented compliance as a risk, and only 33 % can scale compliance effectively. The piece highlights the benefits of an invoice lifecycle management approach for real‑time visibility and audit readiness.

The European Court of Justice ruled that Spain’s restriction on VAT deductions for entertainment expenses does not breach EU law. The decision confirms that the country’s entertainment VAT break limit remains compliant with EU regulations. The ruling was issued on March 12, 2026.

France’s 2026 Finance Law introduces stricter penalties for non‑compliance with the upcoming e‑invoicing and e‑reporting regime, effective from 1 September 2026. The law sets €50 fines per non‑approved invoice, progressive penalties for failing to receive e‑invoices, and €500 per missing e‑reporting transmission, capped at €15,000 annually. A first‑offence tolerance allows penalty waivers if errors are corrected within 30 days.

China’s new VAT Law took effect on 1 January 2026, prompting a coordinated overhaul of preferential policies and administrative rules. Import tax incentives for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, R&D, and energy were extended through 2030, while the Hainan Free Trade Port launched a zero‑tariff resident consumption regime. The State Taxation Administration also clarified SME income‑splitting rules, tightening compliance for small‑scale taxpayers.

This guidance outlines the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) procedures at the border and during crossings. It details the check‑in process, the requirement for carriers to notify HMRC immediately at departure, and how to verify GMR status. The guidance ensures compliance with automated customs processes for goods vehicles.

France has issued guidance clarifying VAT obligations for dropshippers who do not use the IOSS scheme. The ruling specifies that parcels below €150 are cleared in the final destination Member State and the seller is not liable for French VAT, while parcels above €150 trigger import VAT liability in France. It also outlines conditions under which the customer or seller bears import VAT when goods are delivered within France and requires non‑EU sellers to register and possibly appoint a French tax representative.

The post explains that e‑invoicing success hinges on technical validation, especially schematron rules, rather than just electronic transmission. It highlights how failures in these rules can delay payments, increase DSO, and create manual intervention for AP teams. The author plans to share deeper insights into validation and integration in future posts.

The UAE’s 2026 VAT amendments introduce a five‑year limit on recovering excess input VAT, a transitional window until 31 Dec 2026 for older credits, and a phased e‑invoicing rollout starting July 2026. Companies must review historical balances, comply with stricter documentation, and prepare for mandatory electronic invoicing for B2B and B2G transactions.