ASIA: South Korea Proposes Amendments to VAT Act for 2025 Budget

The South Korean National Assembly accepted Bill No. 2204961, a proposal to amend the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Act as part of the 2025 budget package. The bill includes measures to encourage digital compliance, prevent tax evasion, and extend support for small businesses.

Extending VAT deduction for e-invoices

One of the key changes in the bill is the extension of the VAT deduction period for electronic invoices. The current deadline of December 31, 2024, would be pushed to December 31, 2027. This extension applies to individual business owners whose total annual supply of goods and services was below 300 million KRW (about USD 217,463) in the previous year. The change aims to support small businesses by incentivizing digital invoicing and easing compliance burdens.

Higher surcharge for false business representation

To curb fraudulent practices, the bill proposes to increase the surcharge rate for businesses operating under false pretenses. For general taxpayers, the rate would increase from 1% to 2% of the total supply price, while for individual taxpayers, it would rise from 0.5% to 1%. This adjustment reflects a stronger stance on tax evasion, encouraging businesses to operate transparently.

Imposing VAT on non-supplied invoiced items

Another important measure would impose VAT on businesses that issue tax invoices without supplying goods or services in the taxable period. This addition addresses cases where invoices are issued without actual transactions, a tactic used to evade taxes. By enforcing VAT in these situations, the bill seeks to close existing loopholes.

Implementation date

If passed, the amended VAT Act would take effect on January 1, 2025, aligning with the new fiscal year and allowing businesses and tax authorities to prepare for the changes.

20 August 2024

WEALTH TAX: Countries can raise $2 trillion by copying Spain’s wealth tax, study finds

Ending special tax treatment afforded to superrich can cover estimated climate finance needs Following the example of Spain’s “featherlight” wealth tax on the 0.5% richest households would see

Read More
31 January 2025

US: Trump escalates EU-US tax wars

he United States and Europe have long disagreed over tax rules affecting trade and investment. Battles between the 1960s and 1990s centered on the taxation of merchandise exports. Between the 2010s

Read More
14 February 2025

GREECE: Greek Tax Authorities Target Tax Evasion via Lifestyle Audits

Audit teams use advanced algorithms and risk analysis to conduct lifestyle audits and identify taxpayers suspected of concealing undeclared income.Greek tax authorities have launched a new round of

Read More
14 November 2024

EU: Dutch Efforts to Enhance EU Crypto Tax Laws

The EU is only as strong as the nations that make it. The vision of a unified legal, cultural, and economic landscape is only possible if all member states work together towards a common goal. Crypto

Read More