Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

A preliminary ruling before the CJEU (Case T‑96/26, TellusTax Advisory) examines whether a Swedish supplier’s right to deduct input VAT can be limited because the services were provided to a Luxembourg securitisation vehicle that benefits from a fund‑management VAT exemption. The Swedish Tax Authorities denied the deduction, arguing that VAT must have been due in Luxembourg for the deduction to apply. The outcome will have implications for securitisation vehicles and the broader fund industry.

Sweden has introduced a new bill to strengthen anti‑VAT fraud enforcement, effective 1 July 2026. The legislation expands the Swedish Tax Agency’s powers, including enhanced scrutiny at registration, refusal or deregistration of VAT registrations, invalidation of Swedish VAT numbers in the EU VIES system, and blocking excess input VAT repayments. These measures aim to disrupt missing‑trader, carousel, and repayment fraud across the EU.

Sweden is preparing to overhaul its One‑Stop Shop (OSS) and e‑commerce VAT rules effective 1 January 2027. The changes clarify deemed‑supplier status for platforms, tighten distance‑sales threshold conditions, redefine the interaction with the domestic threshold, expand the third‑country OSS regime, and refine input‑VAT deduction and refund regimes.

Sweden will evaluate until December 2027 whether to adopt domestic e‑invoicing or continue with the EU ViDA requirements. The EU ViDA Directive obliges Sweden to implement e‑invoicing and e‑reporting for intra‑community transactions by July 2030. In February 2026, the Ministry of Finance appointed a commissioner to review options, with conclusions due by November 2027.

The Swedish Tax Court issued Advance Notice No. 54‑25/I on 17 Dec 2025, clarifying that the input VAT deduction limitation for permanent residences does not extend to parking garages that are clearly separated from the residence. In the case, a taxpayer owning a residential building, a commercial building and a parking garage sought guidance, and the court ruled that the garage’s design and use meant it was not part of a permanent residence, so its costs are not subject to the limitation.

On 27 January 2026 the Swedish Tax Court issued Advance Notice No. 62‑25/I, clarifying the VAT treatment of mobile housing modules leased to municipalities and private owners for student housing and nursing homes. The court held that leasing these modules does not constitute leasing real estate for VAT purposes, affecting input‑VAT deduction rights. The modules are assembled on site, mounted on foundations, equipped with utility ducts, and subject to time‑limited building permits.

Sweden has launched a public inquiry into mandatory e-invoicing and digital VAT reporting, aligning with the EU’s ViDA framework. The inquiry will be completed by 30 November 2027 and will assess extending e-invoicing to domestic transactions. EU ViDA requires cross‑border B2B e‑invoicing with reporting obligations starting 1 July 2030.

The Swedish Finance Department has issued Directive Dir. 2026:9 to modernise VAT rules and strengthen anti‑fraud measures. It mandates a special investigator to assess how EU VAT rules for the digital age will be implemented in Swedish law, including digital reporting based on electronic invoicing for cross‑border transactions. The investigation must be reported by 30 November 2027.

This article examines the constraints on cross‑border VAT grouping in Sweden, addressing both EU member states and non‑EU jurisdictions. It outlines the legal framework and practical implications for businesses operating across borders.

A Swedish Supreme Administrative Court ruling and updated Tax Agency guidance now restrict the scope of the transfer of a going concern (TOGC) exemption. The TOGC applies only when VAT would be chargeable on the asset transfer and the recipient can deduct input VAT, meaning many previously VAT‑neutral restructurings will incur VAT costs. Companies must reassess each asset’s VAT status when planning mergers or internal reorganisations.