+++ Belgium - updated requirements on electronic invoice retention requirements +++ Belgium - the 9.25% insurance premium tax on credit insurance has been withdrawn +++ Bulgaria - Intrastat reporting thresholds increased +++ Bulgaria - New proposals being pushed with the World Bank to introduce mandatory Catastrope Fund to cover earthquakes etc. +++ Bulgaria - intra-community supplies included in calculating VAT registration threshold +++ Croatia - a 10% motor 3rd party liablitiy risk premium will be charged from 2009 to cover traffic accident costs +++ Czech Republic - new rules on non-resident traders extends the requirement to VAT register +++ Czech Republic - proposal to change VAT payment point to when cash received +++ Denmark - extension of VAT reverse charge on services from non-resident suppliers +++ Denmark - overhaul of VAT registration process to comply with EU employment law +++ Estonia - reduced VAT increased from 5% to 9%; many items now on standard rate +++ Estonia - 2% increase in VAT from July 09 to help combat financial crisis +++ EU - New proposals to force all EU member states to switch to monthly VAT reporting to help combat fraud +++ EU - more proof required for VAT import exemptions for onward supply relief +++ EU - Revised Mutual Assistance Directive issued to assist tax authorities share information on VAT +++ EU - Revised Mutual Assistance Directive issued to assist tax authorities share information on IPT +++ EU - new electronic service to verify authenticity of VAT numbers +++ Finland - Traffic Safety Charge for 2009 will be Euro 7.2m +++ France - Tough new invoice requirements to help combat fraud +++ France - French Motor Insurance Parafiscal Charge hike from 0.1% to 0.6% +++ France - Natural Disaster Compensation Scheme has increased again from 8% to 12% +++ France - New information requirements for foreign companies applying for non-resident VAT registrations +++ France - Confirmation of changes to ACOSS levies, which are now managed by URSSAF +++ Germany - New IPT levy on Surety and Financial Guarantee reinsurance +++ Germany - valid VAT number may not be sufficient evidence alone to allow for zero rating on intra-community supply +++ Germany - proposal to scap the requirement for annual VAT returns +++ Greece - withdrawal of Stamp Duty underway; Life and Damage insurance now exempt +++ Greece - Stamp duty on Life and Damage scrapped Jan 09; will be withdrawn on all other classes Jan 10 +++ Hungary - rules on tax point (now when invoice paid) creates risks for VAT recovery +++ Hungary - standard VAT rates increased by 5% to 25% from July 2009 +++ Hungary - Aircraft hull and aviation liability is now exempt from the 1.5% Fire Brigade Charge +++ Ireland - New retrictions on VAT relief on bad debts +++ Ireland - standard rate VAT increased from 21% to 21.5% from 1st December 2008 +++ Ireland - government insurance levy on non-Life increases from 2% to 3%; new 1% levy on Life +++ Italy - New fiscal budget introduces tax increases for branches and subsidiaries of foreign insurers +++ Italy - Hunting Accident Victims' Fund changed to 5% of 94% of premium +++ Italy - Scraping of the requirement on VAT-registered businesses for the annual filing of lists of customers and suppliers +++ Italy - Court ruling that VAT reclaims deadline should be two years +++ Italy - potential to defer VAT payments to point where cash received +++ Latvia - standard rate VAT increased by 3% to 21% from Jan 2009 +++ Latvia - 2% VAT increase proposed to take standard rate to 23% from 2010 +++ Lithuania - VAT rate increased by 1% from 18% to 19% +++ Luxembourg - Fiscal representation revived for importers of goods +++ Luxembourg - international shipping vessels registered in Lux are IPT exempt +++ Netherlands, The - Tax authorities increase IPT rate from 7% to 7.5% +++ Netherlands, The - drops plans for Jan 2009 1% VAT rate increase due to recession fears +++ Poland - Potential for quarterly VAT returns +++ Poland - Plans for reverse charge on consignment stock +++ Poland - New 12% Parafiscal Charge on Motor Liability contracts to cover medical care at accidents +++ Poland - improved import VAT set-off scheme for established importers +++ Poland - Polish insurance chamber of commerce says 12% levy on 3rd party motor insurance to go +++ Poland - motor liability insurance is now exempt from the Fire Brigade Tax +++ Portugal - VAT rate cut from 21% to 20% from 1st July +++ Romania - Proposals being drawn up with the World Bank for new compulsory national catastrophe program +++ Romania - invoice issuing deadline has been extended to 15 days after the month of the taxable supply +++ Slovakia - adoption of the Euro brings new VAT return form +++ Slovenia - VAT credits will now be refunded after three weeks instead of usual three months +++ Spain - switch from quarterly to monthly VAT returns proposed +++ Spain - online submissions for non-residents; local bank account still required +++ Sweden - IPT now introduced at 32% of gross premiums on 3rd party liability risks +++ Sweden - group life insurance from Swedish or EU insurers is exempt from IPT +++ Switzerland - upcoming popular vote on potential VAT increase +++ Ukraine - All VAT returns must now include information about customers and suppliers +++ Ukraine - joins World Trade Organisation and introduces many new duties +++ United Kingdom - VAT registration threshold increased to GBP67k +++ United Kingdom - Requirement to appoint fiscal representative for FOS insurance dropped +++ United Kingdom - New guidance issued on duty suspension for warehousing goods +++ United Kingdom - Arrangers of insurance contracts may now have to charge IPT even if a separate 'admin' contract is put in place +++ United Kingdom - Standard VAT rate cut from 17.5% to 15.0% until end of 2009 to help stimulate economy +++ United Kingdom - 2009 budget imposes potential personal fines on senior officers who submit incorrect IPT filings +++