Ireland has reduced its standard rate of VAT from 23 percent to 21 percent from September 1, 2020, with the reduction to be in place until February 28, 2021.

Commenting on the move, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe explained that: “This temporary reduction in the standard rate of VAT cuts across a wide range of economic activity and as such there is a broad range of the types of businesses and traders who will benefit. Discretion in relation to the setting of prices charged will remain that of relevant businesses. However, it will help consumer confidence, benefit consumers, and generate economic activity if it was passed on to the final consumer.”

However, Ireland is not the only country making moves in the area recently, with Turkey having temporarily lowered the rate of VAT on the supply of education and training services. Under the auspices of Presidential Decision No. 2913, education and training services will be subject to VAT at one percent in the period from September 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, rather than facing their usual eight percent VAT rate.

For more information on this, and other topical international tax matters, please visit: https://www.cchgroup.com/roles/corporations/international-solutions/research/global-tax-weekly-a-closer-look

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