The Knesset rejected Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s order to double the VAT exemption ceiling on personal imports to $150, voting 59 against and 25 in favor. The order was intended to lower the cost of living and reduce online purchase prices, but critics warned it would harm local businesses.
The Knesset rejected the order, voting 59 against and 25 in favor.
It aimed to lower the cost of living and reduce prices for online purchases by doubling the VAT exemption ceiling to $150.
Critics warned it would significantly harm local businesses, especially small businesses that rely on imports.
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Haaretz · 19 days ago
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sought to double the VAT exemption for personal online imports to $150, but lawmakers rejected the proposal. He subsequently signed an order raising the exemption to $130, a move that has been appealed to Israel's top court. The change affects the VAT treatment of online purchases by Israeli consumers.
The Media Line · 21 days ago
The Israeli Knesset voted on 24 February 2026 to revoke a ministerial order that would have raised the VAT exemption threshold for online purchases from $75 to $150. The order, which had been in effect since December 24, was defeated 25–59 after Prime Minister Netanyahu allowed a free vote for coalition lawmakers. The revocation removes the exemption for imported packages valued up to $150, restoring the previous $75 threshold.
The Invoicing Hub · about 2 months ago
Israel’s e‑invoicing mandate is expanding in 2026, lowering the invoice amount thresholds that trigger mandatory electronic invoicing. From 1 January 2026 invoices above 10,000 NIS must use the SHAAM allocation system, and from 1 June 2026 the threshold drops to 5,000 NIS. The ITA’s approach is based on invoice value rather than overall turnover, and suppliers must obtain and display an allocation number on each invoice.
VatCalc · about 4 hours ago
VatCalc reports that Oman will enforce mandatory B2B and B2G e‑invoicing and e‑reporting via a Peppol 5‑corner model starting 1 Aug 2026. The rollout will be phased, with the first wave in August 2026 for the largest taxpayers, a second wave in February 2027, and a third wave in August 2027. The Oman Tax Authority became the official Peppol Authority in January 2026 and published updated FAQs on 8 Dec 2025.
Middle East Briefing · 7 days ago
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.
NatLawReview · 11 days ago
UAE businesses are discovering that self‑managed VAT filing can lead to significant penalties, lost refunds, and audit complications. The new penalty regime effective 14 April 2026 and the five‑year limitation period for VAT credits introduced on 1 January 2026 have increased the cost of DIY compliance. Professional services now offer measurable savings through accurate filing, proactive deadline management and timely refund claims.
