Author: Europe News Desk

Poland is pressing forward with plans to introduce a 3% digital services tax (DST) on large multinational tech companies, despite explicit threats of retaliatory tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the Polish Digital Ministry, a draft bill is expected by the end of 2025. The measure would apply to digital companies with global revenues exceeding €750 million, ensuring they contribute “fair taxes” on revenues generated from the Polish market. Although framed as non-discriminatory, the proposed DST is widely seen as targeting U.S. tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Meta. Services in scope include digital advertising, online marketplaces,…

European export shops, the duty-free retail outlets located in airports and border terminals, face stricter operational guidelines as authorities clarify rules for sales to entitled and non-entitled passengers. The updated guidance aims to ensure proper compliance with customs duty suspension laws while streamlining monitoring of these specialized retail spaces. According to the latest instructions, export shop operations now fall into three distinct categories: Customs-suspended goods, such as imported electronics from Japan or premium wines from Australia, may only be stored in export shops that have received formal approval as a customs warehouse. Compliance procedures for these products closely mirror those…

Spain remains one of the few European countries to still collect wealth taxes, offering lessons for policymakers worldwide. Wealth taxes, first introduced in 1978, take a percentage of an individual’s assets each year. Rates start at 1.7% for net wealth of €3 million and rise to 3.5% for fortunes over €10 million. To prevent the rich from leaving, Spain provides exemptions, including for family-owned businesses and primary residences, and caps combined income and wealth taxes at 60% of income. These measures have helped keep billionaires in the country while increasing fairness and social equity. The policy’s impact goes beyond revenue…

Norway’s Tax Administration has audited 150 foreign online companies that initially failed to pay VAT, resulting in back taxes, additional charges, and VAT totaling 4.9 billion NOK. These companies operate in streaming, gaming, dating, and adult content services. The 150 foreign online companies, audited since 2016, were not registered for VAT before the controls. After being forcibly registered, they have now reported 4.1 billion NOK in VAT. Many of these companies now comply with Norwegian tax rules, demonstrating the critical importance of the audits. Odd Woxholt, divisional director at the Norwegian Tax Administration, stressed: “Failing to pay VAT is illegal…

With President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 15% tariff on European-made goods, the recreational boating industry is facing a significant challenge. The U.S. is the largest market for European yachts, and most of the world’s superyachts are built in Europe, which is now set to be impacted by the tariffs. While wealthy buyers of yachts can likely afford the additional 15%, brokers note that it will still affect buying decisions, and industry experts are already looking for ways to avoid this new cost. Key Points: Tariff Implications for Yacht Buyers While many wealthy Americans buying yachts are likely to find…

In a landmark decision, Denmark’s Supreme Court has significantly altered the country’s approach to transfer pricing, marking a major shift in its tax jurisprudence. The judgment, which was based on the OECD’s Transfer Pricing (TP) guidelines, overrules more than 15 years of consistent administrative practice, according to experts consulted by International Tax Review (ITR). Key Points of the Judgment: Analysis: The court’s reliance on OECD guidance is seen as a step toward greater harmonization of transfer pricing practices with international standards. For businesses, this ruling underscores the importance of staying updated with evolving global tax norms and proactively adjusting their…

The latest data from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals the percentage of invoices paid within 5 days and within 30 days of receipt across various government departments. The data is presented on a quarterly basis and includes statistics related to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the Revenue and Customs Digital Technology Services (RCDTS), up until the closure of the latter in 2023. Key Data Insights: Coverage of the Data: Why This Data Matters: This performance data is important for businesses and suppliers working with HMRC, as it provides transparency into the timeliness of payment processes, which can…

The UK government will begin enforcing the new Vaping Products Duty from October 1, 2026, as part of its efforts to regulate and tax vaping-related goods more effectively. Businesses involved in the sale or distribution of vaping products must prepare for new compliance measures announced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Key Dates and Deadlines Duty Rates and Compliance The brief outlines: HMRC strongly encourages businesses to apply early to ensure they are fully compliant before enforcement begins. Failure to follow the new rules could lead to financial penalties or seizure of goods. For detailed guidance and updates, businesses should…

Russia’s new tourist tax officially replaced the experimental resort fee as of January 1, 2025. However, according to the Federal Tax Service (FNS), this tax is not a direct successor, as its structure, administration, and payment mechanisms differ significantly. In an interview with the journal Tax Policy and Practice (Налоговая политика и практика), Alexander Vodovozov, Deputy Head of the Corporate Taxation Department at the FNS of Russia, explained that the tourist tax is voluntarily adopted by municipalities, including the federal cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sevastopol, as well as the federal territory “Sirius”. Over 8,000 Declarations Filed in First…

The Hungarian Tax and Customs Authority (NAV) has announced significant updates to the Online Számla (Online Invoice) system’s business validation rules, following a two-month public consultation phase. The revised validation framework, which incorporates taxpayer feedback submitted via GitHub, will take effect on September 15, 2025. Objective: Higher Data Accuracy and Quality The updated validation logic is part of NAV’s ongoing efforts to enhance the accuracy of invoice reporting and improve data quality—a priority that serves both tax authority operations and taxpayer services, such as the eVAT (eÁFA) system. Key Changes in Validation Rules NAV reviewed stakeholder input and has modified…