According to the tax authorities, intermediaries involved in the sale of multi-purpose vouchers each supply a taxable intermediary service, regardless of whether they act as traditional agents or as resellers. This, in itself, is nothing new. The Federal Ministry of Finance has now, however, supplemented its guidance on the determination of the taxable amount for such intermediary services. Under this guidance, intermediaries in multi-tier distribution chains may, in certain cases, be required to subject to VAT an amount exceeding the margin they generate from the purchase and resale of the multi-purpose vouchers.

VAT adjustments under sec. 17 of the German VAT Act due to irrecoverability are a routine feature in corporate insolvency proceedings. In a recent landmark decision (judgment of 18 December 2025 – V R 34/23), the German Federal Fiscal Court (BFH) permits a second adjustment of VAT to the detriment of the insolvent estate, even where a relieving first adjustment in favor of the pre insolvency assets was not carried out. This may result in a double VAT burden. Insolvency administrators and custodians (Sachwalter) should therefore focus on ensuring that the first adjustment is carried out in a timely manner.

Following the US Supreme Court’s ruling that President Donald Trump’s IEEPA customs tariffs were unlawful (KMLZ Customs Newsletter 03 | 2026), US Customs is now proceeding with a large-scale refund process. Businesses can submit and calculate their claims online. Refunds will then be issued collectively for all affected importations of goods.