Regulatory Analysis
On February 28, 2018, the HMRC Commissioners presented the VAT Regulations Amendments for 2018 to the House of Commons. The amendments would become effective on April 1, 2019, and are intended to inform businesses impacted by the Making Tax Digital Initiative of their digital record-keeping requirements. Notably, the Amendments clarify the type of information required […]
On March 2, 2018, New Mexico Governor, Susana Martinez, signed House Bill 194 into law thereby allowing purchasers to provide evidence other than a nontaxable transaction certificate to prove eligibility for a gross receipts deduction. Permitted alternative evidence includes: invoices or contracts identifying the nature of the transaction, documentation of the purchaser's use or disposition of […]
South Africa's Finance Minister, Malusi Gigaba, presented the 2018 Budget to the National Assembly February 21, 2018. In his speech, Minister Gigaba announced several tax measures to address the budget deficit currently faced by the South African Ministry of Finance. Notably, the Minister has proposed an increase in the VAT rate from 14% to 15%. […]
The UK Parliament is currently debating a bill that could greatly impact how businesses in the UK handle cross-border supplies of goods post-Brexit. The bill, titled Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill 2017-19, had it's second reading in front of the House of Commons on January 8, 2018, and is now open for further debate. The primary […]
On February 19, Singapore released its 2018 Budget which includes two significant changes to its Goods and Services tax (GST), including rules that will require foreign suppliers of services to register to collect and remit tax. Imported services will be subject to the GST starting on January 1, 2020 Business buyers of services (both digital […]
On February 14, 2018, the U.K. Upper Tribunal released their decision on an appeal filed by Nestlé UK Ltd., regarding the VAT treatment of strawberry and banana flavoured Nesquik, The ruling validates tax rule applying varying VAT treatment based on the particular flavours. Specifically, Justice Snowden affirmed HMRC and First-Tier Tribunal (FTT) findings that although […]
On February 5, 2018, the European Commission backed Italy's e-invoicing mandate by recommending the EU Council approve Italy's derogation request from the EU VAT Directive. By way of background, Italy's mandate (which would become effective in two stages starting on July 1, 2018) requires taxpayers to provide, in real time, electronic invoices through the Italian […]
On January 18, 2018, the European Commission proposed an overhaul of the European VAT System, building on the 2016 VAT Action Plan. The main goal of the proposed changes is to create a European VAT area that operates more efficiently in a globalized world and aids in preventing VAT fraud. The changes will also enhance […]
On December 29, 2017, Norway's Ministry of Finance amended their Bookkeeping Regulations to revise the timeline relating to the mandatory implementation of the Standard Audit File-Tax (SAF-T) mandate. The Ministry now specifies that SAF-T reporting will be required on January 1, 2020 or later. This action was entirely expected as the Norwegian Tax Administration had […]
On January 5, the Environmental Audit Committee (a sub-body of the UK Parliament) issued a report calling for a 25p ($0.34 USD) levy on prepared coffee sales where the customers receive a disposable cup. The funds from the levy would be earmarked to create additional recycling facilities and the “binfrastructure” necessary to support proper coffee […]
The European Commission has proposed a Council Directive that would make permanent a minimum standard VAT rate of 15% for all Member States. The 15% minimum rate currently exists as a "transitional" measure, though it has been extended six times since its enactment in 1992. If approved, the permanent 15% minimum rate of VAT would take […]
On December 4th, 2017, Italy’s parliament adopted Law Decree no. 148, by way of Law no. 174. Under Article 5 of Law Decree no. 148, the current VAT rate of 10% would be increased to 11.14% effective January 1, 2018. However, the 2018 Italian budget bill currently provides for the reduced VAT rate to be 10% […]
International News OECD Issues New Advice on VAT Administration On Oct 24, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released guidance on how countries can implement effective VAT collection systems for cross-border trade, particularly concerning digital/electronic supplies. The guidance, which is entitled, Mechanisms for the Effective Collection of VAT/GST, relates mostly to design options […]
The Croatian Parliament has published in the Official Gazette 115/16, changes to Croatia's VAT Act that are effective January 1, 2018. Among these changes is an increase in the threshold amount over which businesses are required to register for VAT in Croatia. As of January 1, the amount will increase to HRK 300,000.00. Any businesses […]
As a part of the recent changes to the Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) program in Canada, a new fee has been announced that will be imposed, in the provinces of Quebec and Manitoba, on all sales of flashlights and spotlights, electronic toys, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, when these products are sold with batteries, effective January […]
On October 16, 2017, Italy's Council of Ministers approved the 2018 Budget Bill. The bill proposes two new electronic invoicing requirements for businesses. Starting July 1, 2018, electronic invoices would be required to be submitted through the Sistema di Interscambio for services rendered by subcontractors under a public-service contract, as well as for the sale […]
On October 13 2017, the Polish Ministry of Finance published a new version of SAF-T structures for VAT-JPK_VAT(3) and announced that transmittals pursuant to the new structure will be required as of January 1, 2018. The new version includes changes to the Heading and Entity identification structures. The new changes in .xsd format are available […]