Value-Added Tax (VAT) has shown remarkable resilience through globalization, and its role in public finances has grown significantly over recent decades. Several countries, including Angola, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh, have adopted VAT recently, with others planning to follow. Whether in its current form or with future reforms, VAT is likely to remain a key tool for collecting government revenue.
While VAT is now virtually everywhere, its mechanics are complex and can demand a lot of administrative effort. A recent International Monetary Fund study explores why VAT rules are complicated and why each country has its own unique system.
VAT is an indirect tax added to the price of almost all goods and services that are subject to it, with only certain products exempted. It is the main source of tax revenue in OECD countries because it applies not just at the final sale but at every stage of the supply chain.
In practice, VAT rules vary widely between countries. Rates differ, exemptions may apply, and thresholds for registration depend on business size. This complexity means compliance and planning can be challenging for companies operating across borders.
The VAT reverse charge simplifies cross-border VAT processes and reduces compliance burdens for foreign suppliers. It also serves as a tool for Member States to combat fraud in vulnerable sectors. However, the specific rules and sectors covered depend on each country’s implementation.
Because VAT is so pervasive and nuanced, businesses need effective solutions to stay compliant with the rules wherever they operate. They also need to ensure they recover as much VAT as legally possible so they never pay more than required.
Backdating VAT Registration: What Businesses Need to Know VAT registration has a deadline. Miss it, and the tax authority does not simply move the start date forward to when you applied. In most cases, it moves it back to when you should have registered in the first place. That gap between when you were liable […]
VAT IT and Helios: Every Invoice Verified, All Eligible VAT Recovered. When your business crosses borders, the tax rules, invoice formats, and compliance requirements change with every country you enter. Most expense platforms were not built to handle that. Managing it across multiple vendors is where things tend to go wrong. Helios and VAT […]
Oman’s e-Invoicing Rollout Just Changed. Here Is the Updated Timeline. On 9 August 2026, Oman’s Tax Authority issued Decision No. 189/2026, adjusting the phased rollout of its mandatory e-Invoicing programme and providing more clarity in respect of the affected taxpayers. The dates have moved. The direction has not. What Changed Phase Who It Covers Previous […]
VAT in the Events Industry: The Triggers That Catch Businesses Out Most event businesses think they have a VAT plan. What they actually have is a VAT filing plan. Those are not the same thing. Filing returns on time does not protect you if the underlying classification of your supplies is wrong. If admission […]
Branch vs Subsidiary: Why the Distinction Matters More Than You Think for VAT Reclaim Most multinationals know the difference between a branch and a subsidiary from a corporate law perspective. Fewer realise how dramatically that distinction affects their VAT position, and specifically, how much recoverable VAT they may be leaving on the table because of […]
California Is About to Tax SaaS. Here Is What Changes on 1 January 2027. If California was the state your US Sales Tax compliance team never had to think about, that changes in six months. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 122 into law as part of California’s 2026-2027 budget. From 1 January […]
Backdating VAT Registration: What Businesses Need to Know VAT registration has a deadline. Miss it, and the tax authority does not simply move the start date forward to when you applied. In most cases, it moves it back to when you should have registered in the first place. That gap between when you were liable […]
VAT IT and Helios: Every Invoice Verified, All Eligible VAT Recovered. When your business crosses borders, the tax rules, invoice formats, and compliance requirements change with every country you enter. Most expense platforms were not built to handle that. Managing it across multiple vendors is where things tend to go wrong. Helios and VAT […]
Oman’s e-Invoicing Rollout Just Changed. Here Is the Updated Timeline. On 9 August 2026, Oman’s Tax Authority issued Decision No. 189/2026, adjusting the phased rollout of its mandatory e-Invoicing programme and providing more clarity in respect of the affected taxpayers. The dates have moved. The direction has not. What Changed Phase Who It Covers Previous […]
VAT in the Events Industry: The Triggers That Catch Businesses Out Most event businesses think they have a VAT plan. What they actually have is a VAT filing plan. Those are not the same thing. Filing returns on time does not protect you if the underlying classification of your supplies is wrong. If admission […]
Branch vs Subsidiary: Why the Distinction Matters More Than You Think for VAT Reclaim Most multinationals know the difference between a branch and a subsidiary from a corporate law perspective. Fewer realise how dramatically that distinction affects their VAT position, and specifically, how much recoverable VAT they may be leaving on the table because of […]
California Is About to Tax SaaS. Here Is What Changes on 1 January 2027. If California was the state your US Sales Tax compliance team never had to think about, that changes in six months. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 122 into law as part of California’s 2026-2027 budget. From 1 January […]
VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA): The Complete Guide to the EU’s VAT Reform VAT in the Digital Age, better known as ViDA, is the European Union’s biggest overhaul of VAT rules in a generation. After nearly two years of political deadlock, the reform is no longer a proposal, it is enacted EU law, with the first major deadlines within the […]
California Is About to Tax SaaS. Here Is What Changes on 1 January 2027. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, organisations are seeking innovative solutions to streamline financial operations, enhance compliance, and drive cost savings. Two leading platforms in this space, SAP Concur and eezi, Powered by VAT IT, offer powerful capabilities individually. When integrated, they […]
Is There VAT on Software and SaaS Subscriptions? What Buyers Need to Know Most finance teams have faced the same issue: an invoice lands for a new SaaS (Software as a Service) tool, and it is not obvious whether VAT should be charged on it, who is responsible for it, or whether it can be […]
Fiscal Representative in France: What Non-EU Businesses Need to Know Many businesses trading in France are required to appoint a fiscal representative to maintain VAT compliance. Whether you are importing goods, storing stock, or selling to French consumers, understanding this obligation before you operate is significantly easier than discovering it after the fact. Key Takeaways […]
This webinar explains how US businesses can identify and recover foreign VAT, breaking down key concepts like reciprocity and showing where refund opportunities are often missed.
