Search
Easytax logo

Tax Mag

TAX MAG: VAT news in Europe

Keep up with the latest Intra-Community and European VAT news, decoded by our experts.

Not established in France but VAT-registered? Learn which transactions are in scope for French e-reporting, the applicable timelines, and how to prepare ahead.

France: VAT and advertising expenditure – deduction rights extended to goods distributed free of charge

The French Finance Act for 2026 introduces a significant change with the creation of Article 273 septies E of the French Tax Code. Until now, the free distribution of goods in a promotional context was considered to preclude VAT deduction, regardless of the underlying business purpose. This restrictive approach was rooted in the civil law...
Country Briefs
19 May 2026

France: VAT and trade cooperation agreements – the Conseil d’État clarifies the treatment of rebates and service fees Ruling of 10 April 2026, n° 497524

In this ruling, the Conseil d’État clarified the VAT treatment of payments made under trade cooperation arrangements, reaffirming the distinction between price reductions and remuneration for services. The dispute concerned amounts paid by suppliers to distributors under trade cooperation agreements covering product placement, in-store promotions and marketing activities. These payments had been presented as commercial...
19 May 2026

Switzerland: VAT refunds – tighter requirements for non-resident businesses

Switzerland’s VAT refund scheme for non-established businesses remains in place, but the administration has significantly tightened its practical requirements since February 2026. Without any change to the legal framework, three areas are now subject to stricter scrutiny: Claims must be submitted through the tax authority’s digital platform, with supporting documents that are complete, legible and...
19 May 2026

VAT and virtual gold: the CJEU clarifies the tax treatment of in-game currencies Judgment of 5 March 2026, Case C-472/24

In this ruling, the CJEU clarified the VAT treatment of “virtual gold” sales in online gaming. The case concerned an online video game operator selling “virtual gold” to its users, a digital asset that could be used to acquire in-game advantages, items and features. The operator put forward two alternative arguments: Virtual gold could be...
19 May 2026
Check the INTRASTAT / EMEBI (DEB) thresholds in the various European Union (EU) countries in 2026.
VAT Across Europe 16 April 2026

Bulgaria: reverse charge scrapped for supplies with assembly and installation

Following amendments to the Bulgarian Value Added Tax Act published in Official Gazette No. 115 on 30 December 2025, the reverse charge mechanism for domestic supplies of goods with assembly or installation has been abolished with effect from 1 January 2026. These transactions are now subject to the standard territorial rules, meaning Bulgarian VAT applies...
19 May 2026

EU : Loyalty schemes and VAT – the CJEU clarifies the treatment of points-based programmes Judgment of 5 March 2026, C-436/24, Lyko Operations

In this ruling, the CJEU clarified the VAT treatment of points-based loyalty schemes, and the distinction between multi-purpose vouchers (MPVs) and simple price reduction mechanisms. The case concerned a Swedish company operating a cosmetics distribution network, which had introduced a loyalty programme allowing customers to accumulate points on purchases and redeem them on future transactions...
19 May 2026

EU : Travel agents’ margin scheme (TOMS) and the standstill clause – the CJEU clarifies the boundaries

Judgment of 25 March 2026, T 221/25   This ruling concerns the interaction between national VAT regimes and specific provisions of EU law. The dispute involved travel agents established in the EU, subject to the TOMS margin scheme for services that included supplies made outside the European Union. Belgium had amended the rules for calculating...
19 May 2026
Check the INTRASTAT / EMEBI (DEB) thresholds in the various European Union (EU) countries in 2026.

Belgium : VAT chain reform – Modernising and centralising VAT management

The Belgian Tax Authority (SPF Finances) has been rolling out a wide-ranging reform of its VAT administration, known as the “VAT chain” reform. The aim is to make VAT management more digital, more centralised and more straightforward for businesses without introducing new substantive rules. A significant milestone came into effect on 1 May 2026. The...
19 May 2026

France : VAT reverse charge in the construction sector – the Conseil d’État draws the line on subcontracting

Ruling of 24 February 2026, n° 497507   The Conseil d’État ruled on the scope of the VAT reverse charge mechanism applicable to subcontracting in the construction sector under Article 283, 2 nonies of the French Tax Code. The mechanism applies where services are directly linked to a construction, renovation, transformation or demolition project. The...
19 May 2026

EU VAT refunds: the CJEU rules that taxpayers cannot lose their refund rights due to IT failures Judgment of 12 March 2026, C 527/24, Harry et Associés

In this ruling, the CJEU examined what happens when a technical failure prevents a VAT refund claim from being properly processed under the EU refund procedure set out in Directive 2008/9/EC. A French company had submitted a claim for VAT paid in Italy through the mandatory electronic procedure, within the required deadlines. The claim was...
19 May 2026

France : Customs representation and import VAT – the Court of Cassation sets a high bar for mandates Ruling of 11 February 2026 (No. 70 F-B — Case No. Z 24-18.748)

In this ruling, the Court of Cassation clarified the liability of a logistics provider for import VAT where customs formalities are carried out by an intermediary. A company had instructed a logistics provider to handle its customs clearance under a so-called “express” mandate. Following irregularities in the import declarations, French Customs held the provider liable...
Country Briefs
19 May 2026
VAT Updates per Month