Tax & Legal Update
Coordination Committee clarifies VAT treatment of employee benefits, leaves open…
The Coordination Committee of the Chamber of Tax Advisors and the General Financial Directorate recently discussed a paper on the VAT treatment of employee benefits and the symbolic payment for a taxable supply. The discussion conclusions confirmed…
First public call under new subsidy programme TWIST
In early December 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the first public call under its new programme called TWIST, which supports the research and development of artificial intelligence.
Amendment to VAT Act in effect from new year
The amendment to the VAT Act introduces several key changes that will affect all VAT payers. Selected changes have a delayed effect - e.g., changes in immovable property will apply from 1 July 2025, while some changes in financial services will take…
New ESPR regulation bans destruction of unsold clothes
The EU has introduced its new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) which applies to most products and aims to improve their sustainability and promote the circular economy. Below we summarise what exactly the regulation introduces…
Changes in protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications
Currently, the EU does offer any protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications for craft and industrial products and mineral waters and salts. However, this should soon change, and thus, users of existing national protection of…
Changes in taxation of immovable property in 2025
On 1 January 2025, the second part of the amendment to the Real Estate Tax Act, which already in 2024 introduced numerous significant changes, entered into force. Below, we summarise the most important changes for this year.
Proposal to simplify administration – single monthly employer report
From 2026, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs wants to launch a single monthly employer reporting project that could significantly reduce the administrative burden for businesses as regards employees, and today's up to 25 different monthly…
CJEU: VAT application upon contract termination
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has addressed the issue of applying VAT upon the withdrawal from a contract for services. The court concluded that any amount to be paid after withdrawal from a contract for the supply of services is…
UK introduces ETA
The UK continues to digitise its border controls and is introducing ETA, a new electronic travel authorisation system. The system, which is similar to the US’ ESTA, will be mandatory from April 2025 for citizens of the European Union who want to…