The EU's top court ruled that proceeds from trading virtual gold in online video games are subject to VAT, overturning any exemption. The decision supports Lithuania's efforts to collect tax on digital goods and has implications for VAT treatment of virtual goods across the EU.
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BTW Jurisprudentie · 5 months ago
The Court of Justice ruled that virtual currency used only within an online video game is not exempt under Article 135(1)(e) of the EU VAT Directive and is not a voucher under Article 30 bis. Consequently, such transactions are taxable electronic services, with VAT calculated on the full sale price. The decision clarifies that the exemption applies only to virtual currencies accepted as an alternative to legal tender and used solely as a payment instrument.
Bloomberg Tax · 6 months ago
On January 14, the Lithuanian State Tax Inspectorate released a summary explanation outlining VAT filing requirements for the small business regime. The guidance specifies that returns must be filed electronically via the online portal and due by the 25th of the month following the tax period in which VAT obligations arose or services were supplied in another EU member state. It also confirms that small business regime taxpayers in other EU member states must comply with the same electronic filing requirement.
RTCSuite · about 2 hours ago
Belgium has approved a pre-draft law to introduce mandatory near real-time VAT e-reporting from 1 January 2028, replacing the annual client list. The new system will require both suppliers and customers to transmit a subset of invoice data via Peppol, with enforcement beginning in 2028.
Revenue · about 2 hours ago
Ireland will require large VAT-registered corporates to issue eInvoices for domestic B2B transactions from 1 November 2028. The eInvoices must comply with EN 16931 and a subset of data must be reported to Revenue.
The Independent · about 5 hours ago
The UK government will remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October 2026, cutting the rate from 5% to 0%. The change is expected to save households around £45 a year and will be funded by cancelling the Digital ID programme.
The Independent · about 7 hours ago
In the UK, the government announced an £850 million tax cut on energy bills, making electricity bills VAT free from 1 October 2026 in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland remains exempt because EU VAT rates apply under the Windsor Framework, preventing the cut from applying there.
Key Takeaways
It ruled that proceeds from trading virtual gold in online video games are subject to VAT, meaning the activity is not exempt.
A Lithuanian business whose virtual gold trading proceeds were subject to VAT.
It supports Lithuania's efforts to collect VAT on virtual gold trading by confirming the activity is taxable.
No, the ruling states that in-game gold trade is not exempt from VAT.
Primary source
Read the full article at Law360This summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 6 March 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Lithuania. The original source is Law360.
