Tax News Daily
The latest tax news from around the world, summarised and tagged for tax professionals. Updated twice daily.
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OECD Amendments to Digital Platform Reporting Rules — Reduced Thresholds and Clarified Scope for Platform Operators
The OECD has introduced amendments to its digital platform reporting rules, reducing reporting thresholds and clarifying the scope of obligations for platform operators. These changes affect platforms facilitating services such as accommodation, transport, and gig economy work, requiring them to collect and report seller data to tax authorities. The reduced thresholds mean more transactions and sellers will fall within scope, increasing compliance burdens on operators globally. The clarified rules aim to improve cross-border tax transparency and close gaps that allowed lower-value transactions to go unreported under the original DAC7-aligned framework.
Brauner: A Purpose-based Reform of Income Sourcing Rules
Professor Brauner proposes a purpose-based reform of U.S. income sourcing rules, which determine how cross-border income is allocated between jurisdictions for tax purposes. The reform aims to align sourcing rules with the underlying economic purposes of income categories, addressing inconsistencies in the current framework. Sourcing rules are critical in international taxation as they affect foreign tax credit calculations, withholding obligations, and treaty interactions. The proposal has implications for both corporate and individual taxpayers engaged in cross-border transactions, and touches on broader U.S. international tax policy debates.
Virginia Tax Review Publishes New Issue
The Virginia Tax Review has published its Fall 2025 issue, featuring new academic articles on tax law and policy. Tax law reviews serve as key forums for scholarly debate on legislative, regulatory, and judicial developments across domestic and international taxation. The specific articles in this issue are not detailed, but publication of a dedicated tax journal issue signals substantive engagement with current tax law topics including potential coverage of corporate tax, international tax, and tax reform debates ongoing in the U.S.
PSD Uses Centeno to Attack Zero VAT, PS Cites CDS Support
Portuguese political parties are clashing over zero-rate VAT policy. The PSD party is using statements by former finance minister Mário Centeno to challenge the zero VAT rate measures, while the PS party highlights CDS support for the policy. The debate centres on the fiscal and economic implications of zero-rated VAT on certain goods, reflecting broader political disagreements over the use of VAT relief as a tool for cost-of-living policy in Portugal.
Kazakhstan Expands VAT Exemptions and Cuts Healthcare Sector Rates
Kazakhstan is broadening VAT exemptions and reducing VAT rates for the healthcare sector as part of a legislative update to its indirect tax framework. The reforms aim to ease the tax burden on healthcare providers and related goods and services, potentially stimulating sector investment and improving affordability of medical services. The changes reflect Kazakhstan's ongoing efforts to refine its VAT system and align sector-specific tax treatment with broader economic and social policy objectives.
The OBBBA’s Trump Accounts Open on July 4
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces 'Trump Accounts,' tax-advantaged savings accounts for children that opened on July 4, 2026. The accounts are part of broader U.S. tax legislation and represent a new personal tax incentive aimed at encouraging long-term savings from birth. Structurally similar to existing tax-advantaged vehicles, these accounts carry specific eligibility rules and contribution limits. The OBBBA represents a significant legislative development in U.S. personal income and savings tax policy, with downstream implications for financial planning and tax compliance for American families.
EU VAT Expert Group: Insights from European VAT Policy Discussions
This article reports on insights and discussions from the EU VAT Expert Group, a formal advisory body that provides guidance to the European Commission on VAT policy matters. It covers recent policy debates, emerging issues under consideration, and the Expert Group's input on potential reforms to the EU VAT system. The piece is relevant for businesses and advisers tracking the direction of EU VAT legislation, offering a view into the policy-making process and the technical issues shaping future harmonised VAT rules across EU member states.
PM Shehbaz hails FBR for surpassing historic revenue target
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for surpassing a historic revenue collection target. The milestone reflects improved tax compliance, administrative reforms, and enforcement efforts by the FBR. The achievement is seen as a significant step toward fiscal consolidation and meeting IMF programme benchmarks. The PM acknowledged the FBR's role in broadening the tax base and increasing collections across major tax heads including income tax, sales tax, and customs duties, underscoring the government's commitment to sustainable revenue growth.
Slovenia Tax Cuts: Proposed Changes to VAT and Contributions
Slovenia is proposing a package of tax cuts that includes reductions to VAT rates and changes to social contribution rates. The proposals are part of a broader effort to ease the tax burden on individuals and businesses amid economic pressures. Specific measures under consideration include adjustments to VAT on certain goods or services and reforms to payroll-related contributions. The article outlines the legislative status of the proposals, potential fiscal impact, and timeline for implementation, highlighting Slovenia's intent to stimulate economic activity through targeted tax relief measures.
Austria VAT Reduction Proposal: Lower VAT on Staple Foods
Austria is considering a proposal to reduce VAT rates on staple food items as a measure to address cost-of-living pressures. The proposal would lower the VAT burden on basic groceries, making essential foods more affordable for consumers. The article discusses the political momentum behind the initiative, the fiscal cost of the proposed reduction, and the EU VAT Directive framework that permits member states to apply reduced rates to food products. It also considers potential implementation challenges and compares Austria's approach to similar measures adopted by other EU member states.
37 ways Andy Burnham could raise £4.7bn
This article explores 37 potential tax-raising measures Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, could implement to generate £4.7 billion in revenue. The piece examines various fiscal options available at regional and national levels, covering a broad range of tax mechanisms including property taxes, income levies, and other revenue-raising tools. The analysis appears to assess the political and practical feasibility of different approaches, situating Burnham's potential fiscal agenda within the broader UK debate about devolution, local government funding, and taxation powers available to metro mayors and regional authorities.
EU Budget Tax Proposals and New Revenue Mechanisms for the 2028–2034 EU Budget
This article discusses the European Union's tax proposals aimed at generating new revenue streams for the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework. The EU is exploring own-resource mechanisms including potential new levies, digital taxes, carbon border adjustment contributions, and reforms to existing VAT-based own resources. These proposals reflect the EU's ambition to reduce reliance on member state GNI contributions while funding green and digital priorities. The article covers policy debates among member states and EU institutions over the design, fairness, and implementation of these new fiscal instruments within the next long-term EU budget cycle.
New VAT Rules Expected to Save Businesses €81 Million Annually
This article reports on new VAT rules projected to deliver €81 million in annual savings for businesses. The measures likely relate to simplification initiatives, reduced administrative burdens, threshold adjustments, or streamlined compliance procedures under updated VAT legislation. Such reforms could include small business exemption expansions, simplified invoicing rules, or reduced filing frequency obligations. The article highlights the tangible economic benefit of VAT reform efforts, positioning the changes as pro-business regulatory improvements that reduce the cost of compliance while maintaining revenue integrity for tax authorities. The jurisdiction and specific legislative context would determine the precise scope of these savings.
GST Celebrated as a Landmark Reform in India’s Indirect Tax System
India marks a significant milestone celebrating GST as a transformative reform in its indirect tax landscape since its introduction in July 2017. The unified tax replaced a fragmented multi-layered system of central and state levies, streamlining compliance and broadening the tax base. Commentators highlight improvements in revenue buoyancy, reduced cascading effects, and enhanced formalization of the economy. Despite ongoing challenges around rate rationalization and compliance burdens for small businesses, GST is broadly recognized as a landmark structural shift that modernized India's indirect taxation framework and improved economic integration across states.
Soft Drinks Industry Levy returns and records (notice 2)
HMRC guidance (Notice 2) on how businesses liable for the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) must submit returns and maintain records. The SDIL is a tax on producers and importers of soft drinks containing added sugar above specified thresholds, introduced in 2018. The notice covers return filing deadlines, payment procedures, record-keeping requirements, and how to correct errors. This is sector-specific excise-style tax compliance guidance relevant to soft drink manufacturers, importers, and packagers operating in the UK market.
CBDT Condones Delay in Filing Form 10AB for 80G Approval Renewal
India's Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a condonation order allowing taxpayers to file Form 10AB beyond the prescribed deadline for renewal of 80G approval, which grants income tax exemption status to charitable and religious organizations. The relief addresses situations where trusts and institutions missed filing deadlines, potentially losing their tax-exempt status. CBDT's condonation prevents undue hardship on qualifying non-profit entities by restoring their eligibility to receive tax-deductible donations. This administrative relief underscores the board's discretionary powers to waive procedural delays in genuine cases.
European Union: Budget talks continue as new EU taxes face revision
European Union budget negotiations are ongoing as proposed new EU-level taxes face significant revision. Discussions involve potential EU own-resource revenue measures, with member states debating the scope and structure of new tax instruments intended to fund the EU budget. Proposals under consideration are being revised amid political resistance and differing national interests. The talks reflect broader EU fiscal policy challenges, including balancing budgetary needs with member state sovereignty over taxation. The outcome will shape the EU's financial framework and the extent to which new tax mechanisms are introduced at the supranational level.
OECD Proposes Amendments to Digital Platform Reporting Rules for the Gig Economy and E-Commerce
The OECD has proposed amendments to its Model Rules for digital platform reporting, targeting gig economy and e-commerce platforms. The proposed changes aim to refine and expand the scope of reporting obligations for platforms facilitating services and goods sales, improving tax transparency and information exchange between tax authorities. Updates address definitions, due diligence procedures, and reporting timelines to close gaps identified since the original rules were introduced. The amendments are intended to strengthen cross-border tax compliance and reduce underreporting of income earned through digital platforms, with implications for both platform operators and the sellers using them globally.
Inside the numbers: Pakistan hits 8.2 million active taxpayers
Pakistan has reached a milestone of 8.2 million active taxpayers, reflecting efforts by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to broaden the country's tax base. The figure represents growth in tax registration and compliance, driven by government initiatives to bring more individuals and businesses into the formal tax net. Despite this progress, Pakistan's taxpayer-to-population ratio remains relatively low, underscoring ongoing challenges in tax compliance and enforcement. Analysts note that expanding the active taxpayer base is critical to improving Pakistan's tax-to-GDP ratio and reducing reliance on indirect taxes and external borrowing.
After Newsom Couldn’t Stop It, California Braces for Billionaire Tax Brawl
California is preparing for a major political and legislative battle over a proposed 'billionaire tax' after Governor Gavin Newsom failed to prevent the measure from advancing. The initiative targets ultra-high-net-worth individuals in California, potentially imposing new wealth-based taxes on unrealized gains or assets. The fight reflects broader national debates over taxing the wealthy and marks a significant development in state-level personal income tax policy. Proponents argue it addresses inequality, while opponents warn of capital flight and constitutional challenges. The outcome could set a precedent for similar wealth tax measures in other U.S. states.
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