An analysis published on 8 October 2026 highlights Germany’s experience since reducing the VAT rate on restaurant and catering services from 19% to 7% in late 2023. The measure, initially introduced as a pandemic relief, was made permanent in 2024. Early data indicates the lower rate helped operators absorb rising labor and ingredient costs, maintain
Estonia: German VAT Cut Helps Restaurants Survive Cost Crisis Read More »
As of 8 October 2026, HM Revenue & Customs reported a significant increase in information requests from foreign tax authorities under bilateral tax treaties and multilateral conventions such as the OECD’s Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. This surge reflects heightened global enforcement coordination post-BEPS, with jurisdictions actively pursuing cross-border tax evasion and
United Kingdom: Foreign Tax Authorities Increase Information Requests to HMRC Read More »
Effective immediately upon publication in the Government Gazette on October 8, 2026, Greece has abolished cash-on-delivery (COD) payments for courier and postal deliveries regardless of transaction value. The measure, enacted through Article 72 of Law 5338/2026 (New Incentives for Foreign Direct Investment), mandates that all payments for goods delivered via courier or postal services must
Greece: Greece Bans Cash-on-Delivery via Courier: Mandatory Electronic Payment Read More »
In ordinance No. 11898/2026 dated 9 October 2026, the Supreme Court held that the extract of the tax role (estratto di ruolo) is not independently appealable. However, taxpayers may challenge the underlying role and unserved collection notice if they demonstrate one of the legally recognized prejudices, such as denial of financing due to the extract’s
Italy: Tax Role Extract, Unserved Notices: Supreme Court Latest Rulings Read More »
On 8 October 2026, Cyprus Finance Minister Makis Keravnos initiated a formal request to the European Commission seeking a derogation to modify the Value Added Tax (VAT) treatment applied to electricity bills. This move comes amid sustained pressure on household energy costs and aims to align national tax policy with the EU’s VAT Directive, which
Cyprus：Cyprus Seeks EU Approval for VAT Change on Electricity Bills Read More »
On 8 October 2026, the Federal Fiscal Court (BFH) issued a ruling (III R 37/23) concerning the calculation of differential child benefit (Differenzkindergeld) for cross-border workers receiving family allowances from Switzerland. The court determined that the gross amount of Swiss family benefits must be offset against the German child benefit entitlement, rather than the net
Germany: German Court Rules on Cross-Border Child Benefit Offset with Switzerland Read More »
Amazon Web Services (AWS) confirmed on 8 October 2026 that it will settle its Corporate Tax obligations in the autonomous community of Aragon with retroactive effect to fiscal year 2023. The announcement follows months of negotiations between the tech giant and the Aragonese Tax Administration regarding the attribution of profits generated by AWS’s data center
Spain：AWS Commits to Pay Aragon Taxes Retroactively Read More »
On 8 October 2026, the AEAT published Binding Consultation V1234-26 clarifying the application of the enhanced 90% deduction for rental income (Article 23.2 LIRPF) when landlords voluntarily reduce rents by at least 5% in “stressed residential areas” (zonas tensionadas) designated by regional governments. The consultation confirms that: (1) the 5% reduction is calculated against the
Spain: Landlords Can Save IRPF by Reducing Rent 5% Under New Rules Read More »
On 8 October 2026, the European Council formally adopted the revised Union Customs Code (UCC) legislative package, marking the most comprehensive overhaul of EU customs legislation since 2013. The reform introduces mandatory electronic customs declarations, real-time data sharing between member states, and a centralized EU Customs Authority to oversee risk management. Effective from 1 January
United Kingdom: EU Adopts New Union Customs Code Reform Package Read More »
On 8 October 2026, the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) announced the conclusion of “Operation Hermes,” a nationwide investigation into a massive VAT carousel fraud involving mobile phone trading. The scheme, operating since 2023, exploited the intra-community VAT exemption by creating a chain of buffer companies that acquired phones VAT-free from other EU states and sold
Greece: Greece VAT Carousel Fraud: 62 Arrests in Operation Hermes, €410M Read More »
