Malta opposition leader Alex Borg defended his proposal to cut VAT on restaurants and kiosks from 18% to 7%, arguing it would benefit around 3,000 catering businesses. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana opposed the measure, citing a €140 million cost that would match the 2024 tax cut and only benefit a small sector. Borg accused Caruana of branding restaurateurs as thieves.
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RSM Malta · about 1 month ago
Legal Notice 86 of 2026 introduces a targeted amendment to Malta’s VAT Act, narrowing the gambling exemption to only low‑risk games, occasional junket events, and on‑site betting facilities from 1 October 2026. Exempt supplies will no longer allow input VAT recovery, and all other gambling activities—including remote or online gaming—will become taxable under the place‑of‑supply rules. MTCA Guidelines issued in April 2026 provide implementation guidance.
Deloitte Malta · about 1 month ago
Malta's tax authority has issued new VAT guidelines for gambling and betting, effective 1 October 2026. The guidelines narrow the VAT exemption to low‑risk games, occasional junket events, and in‑venue sports betting, while treating most operators—including sports betting, live casino, and B2B providers—as taxable. Operators must review pricing, accounting, and billing systems to comply with the new regime.
Deloitte Malta · about 1 month ago
Malta’s Value Added Tax Act will be amended by amendment 86 of 2026, taking effect on 1 October 2026, to narrow the VAT exemption for gambling and betting services. The changes are expected to improve VAT recovery for B2C operators and certain B2B providers, with detailed guidelines to follow.
Zampa Partners · 2 months ago
Zampa Partners is hosting a conference on 25 March to explore how evolving financial services models, such as fintech and embedded finance, challenge traditional VAT positions. The event will feature panels on VAT exemptions, case law, and practical compliance strategies, and is accredited for 3.75 hours of CPE by the Malta Institute of Accountants.
VatCalc · about 2 hours ago
Bulgaria’s parliament is reviewing a proposal to raise the mandatory VAT registration threshold from €50,130 to €85,000, effective 1 January 2027, in line with EU SME scheme limits. The country adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, setting its 2026 threshold at €51,130 (≈BGN 100,000), and previously had a temporary increase to BGN 166,000 in 2025 before reverting to BGN 100,000 in April 2025.
Accountancy Age · 2 days ago
The article outlines a compliance roadmap for UK firms expanding globally, highlighting the need to register for VAT in each jurisdiction, including Germany's €1 threshold and the EU's ViDA initiative. It details penalties for non‑registration, the adoption of PEPPOL e‑invoicing, and the launch of the Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework in 2026. UK firms are urged to map their nexus, maintain accurate digital audit trails, and integrate tax engines compatible with EU standards.
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Key Takeaways
He proposes reducing the VAT from 18% to 7%.
The cost is estimated at €140 million.
Approximately 3,000 catering establishments would benefit.
He argues the €140 million cost equals the 2024 tax cut and only benefits a small sector, while the tax cut and energy subsidies benefit a larger population.
Primary source
Read the full article at MaltaTodayThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 21 March 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Malta. The original source is MaltaToday.
