The VATfaqs digest
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UK guidance on customs procedures for goods moved into the UK for international events. It covers Temporary Admission, ATA Carnet, and import duty reliefs, including application timelines, duration limits, and applicable Additional Procedure Codes (APCs).
The webinar explains that Swiss and Liechtenstein companies must register for EU VAT from the first euro of turnover in 2026, with no Swiss‑style threshold. It details when local registration is required—e.g., when stock is held in a Member State—and how to determine the correct country of registration, including use of the One‑Stop‑Shop for B2C electronic services.
Global e-Invoicing Requirements Tracker
The UK government is consulting on extending online marketplace VAT liability to domestic sellers, requiring marketplaces to collect and remit VAT on sales by UK-based sellers when goods are situated in the UK at the point of sale. The consultation runs from 23 June to 18 August 2026 and aims to reduce non‑compliance and level the playing field for VAT‑compliant sellers.
EU Commission clarified how VAT should be applied to the new €3 customs duty on low-value imports. The duty, effective 1 July 2026, is exempt from VAT for IOSS users but taxable for Special Arrangements and standard imports. A separate €2 handling fee, expected before November 2026, will be outside VAT.
The European Commission clarified that the new EUR 3 customs duty on low‑value consignments (≤ EUR 150) will apply from 1 July 2026. Under the IOSS scheme no VAT is due on this duty, whereas VAT is payable on it for imports using Special Arrangements or the standard import procedure. A Union handling fee, expected from November 2026, will be outside the scope of VAT.
UAE Ministry of Finance has extended the deadline for appointing an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to 30 October 2026 for businesses with annual revenues of AED 50 million or more. The mandatory implementation of the UAE e‑invoicing system remains 1 January 2027 for that revenue bracket, while lower‑revenue businesses and government entities have separate deadlines. Businesses must prepare ERP readiness, XML invoice compliance, and VAT configuration ahead of the implementation dates.
France will enforce a comprehensive e‑invoicing and e‑reporting mandate from 1 September 2026. Large and intermediate‑sized companies must issue e‑invoices immediately, while SMEs and foreign firms begin on 1 September 2027. The guidance outlines size thresholds, real‑time reporting requirements, and the penalty regime during the pilot phase.
This FAQ explains the differences between Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) and Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) for cross‑border merchants, outlining who pays duties, the impact on customer experience, and the technical requirements for each option. It highlights that DDP offers cost certainty and faster customs clearance, while DDU can lead to refused deliveries and additional costs. The guide also details FlavorCloud’s guaranteed DDP service, which locks landed cost at checkout, and the prerequisites for product eligibility such as HS codes, country of origin, and weight.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced a new initiative that broadens the range of construction costs eligible for VAT refunds for UAE nationals building new homes. Effective 1 January 2026, citizens can claim refunds on a variety of items—including staff quarters, home gyms, smart security systems, and complete reconstruction projects—provided they meet all conditions and documentation requirements. The digital VAT refund platform has been updated to reflect these new categories.
HMRC has introduced a mandatory online registration portal for tax advisers who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients. The portal becomes operational from 18 May 2026 and must be fully functional by 31 March 2027. Advisers have three months from the opening of the registration window to apply for an Agent Services Account (ASA).
The UAE Ministry of Finance released version 1.1 of its Electronic Invoicing Guidelines on 1 June 2026, clarifying data storage responsibilities, advance payment invoicing, and sample invoice calculations to support the country’s digital tax infrastructure.
HMRC has confirmed that VAT‑registered companies in Dorset can donate goods to registered charities without incurring VAT, provided the goods are used to support people in need or deliver charitable services. This removes a barrier that previously required businesses to pay VAT on donated goods. Businesses should keep accurate records of donated items, especially high‑value goods.
Manila Bulletin reports that the Philippine BIR has clarified that bilateral tax treaties do not exempt foreign digital service providers from the country's 12% VAT. The new guidance, issued in RMC No. 59‑2026 on June 2, 2026, requires non‑resident providers to register and file VAT returns, and outlines reverse‑charge rules for cross‑border B2B services. It also details how online booking platforms and pre‑existing subscriptions are taxed.
UAE Ministry of Finance has issued updated e‑invoicing guidelines ahead of the July 2026 pilot, detailing the launch timetable, transition periods, and storage responsibilities. The guidelines confirm that all UAE businesses must adopt e‑invoicing, with a 24‑month transition for VAT groups and specific turnover thresholds for phased compliance. Taxpayers remain responsible for archiving invoices even when using accredited service providers, and advance payment invoicing must be linked within the Peppol PINT‑AE framework.
HMRC has updated Notice 742A to clarify the treatment of opted land and buildings, including the requirement to account for output tax on assets remaining on hand at the point of VAT registration cancellation and the removal of a temporary change to the notification time limit. The notice also outlines whether optors need HMRC permission before exercising the option and how to notify HMRC of the decision.
Boardroom Singapore’s press release outlines common pitfalls in Singapore’s GST filing process and offers a practical checklist to improve accuracy. It stresses the importance of timely filing, proper documentation, and the use of the myTax Portal and IRAS’s Assisted Self‑help Kit to mitigate errors and penalties.
Spain’s tax authority released technical guidance for the upcoming SPFE e‑invoicing mandate, detailing a phased rollout: large companies by Oct 2027, small businesses by Oct 2028, and self‑employed by Oct 2029. The guidance covers the EN 16931:2026 UBL 2.5 standard, API and security requirements, and a developer sandbox available from Oct 2026.
Ukraine's tax authorities have issued guidance clarifying that SaaS, software licences, and digital content are treated as services for VAT purposes. Non‑resident providers and marketplaces must register for VAT in Ukraine from 1 January 2022, with a UAH 1 million threshold, and file simplified quarterly returns within 40 days of each quarter. The standard VAT rate is 20%, and VAT due can be paid in USD or Euro if opted at registration.
The German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) issued revised template forms for VAT reverse‑charge and registration purposes effective 9–23 April 2026. The updates remove the service‑seal field and the phrase “This letter was machine‑generated and is valid without signature,” and set a maximum validity of three years for the certificates. Forms USt 1 TH, USt 1 TG and USt 1 TQ can be issued on application or by authority; USt 1 TS and USt 1 TN only on application.
Germany's Federal Ministry of Finance has issued a new guidance letter effective 1 April 2026 that narrows the scope of intra‑group VAT exemptions for Organschaft. The update expands situations where intra‑group transactions may trigger VAT, particularly for supplies linked to non‑economic activities, and allows taxpayers to use the old approach until 31 December 2026. Businesses must reassess charging models, input VAT recovery and ERP logic for German VAT groups.