{"id":2516,"date":"2019-04-28T08:43:11","date_gmt":"2019-04-28T08:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/way2vat.com\/?p=2516"},"modified":"2022-11-02T20:19:09","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T20:19:09","slug":"vat_gst-around-the-world-whats-different-and-whats-the-same","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/way2vat.com\/vat_gst-around-the-world-whats-different-and-whats-the-same\/","title":{"rendered":"VAT\\GST Around the World: What\u2019s Different, and What\u2019s the Same?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Value Added Tax, or VAT\\GST, is one of the most common types of tax worldwide. You\u2019ll find VAT\\GST charged in most of the countries you might visit as part of your business travel – in 160 countries and counting, to be precise. The prevalence of VAT\\GST around the world makes it even more important that your business takes advantage of the VAT\\GST refund options.<\/p>\n

VAT\\GST is a tax that\u2019s added on to goods and services and charged to the end customer, but if you\u2019re visiting as part of your business travel, your company can submit a VAT\\GST return to make a VAT\\GST reclaim.<\/p>\n

Which countries charge VAT\\GST?<\/h4>\n

Instead of charging VAT\\GST, some countries charge a different end tax on goods and services, which is called the Goods and Sales Tax, or GST. Although there are some similarities with VAT\\GST, this article will only focus on those countries which charge VAT\\GST.<\/p>\n

VAT\\GST is a tax that varies significantly between countries. In some countries, standard VAT\\GST rates are as much as 27% VAT\\GST on your business travel goods and services! Certain countries charge VAT\\GST at a much lower rate of 5%, and in other places you\u2019ll find tax rates at anything in between. Although you want to make sure to submit a VAT\\GST reclaim for all your business travel expenses, it\u2019s also useful to know which countries worldwide have the highest and lowest VAT\\GST rates. Here is a deep dive into the highest and lowest rates for VAT\\GST around the world, as well as the global average VAT\\GST charges:<\/p>\n

Lowest VAT\\GST Rates<\/h4>\n

In the Middle East, the Gulf states have recently introduced VAT\\GST. This is due to the drastically reduced price of oil, which has made it difficult for these states to meet their budgets without some kind of sales tax. VAT\\GST in these countries is still very low. In 2018, the United Arab Emirates became one of the first Gulf states to charge VAT\\GST, at a rate of 5% on some goods and services, like food, cars, and entertainment. Many other items are still VAT\\GST-free.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re hoping to make a VAT\\GST reclaim from the UAE, bear in mind that only businesses in some countries can claim a VAT\\GST refund for business travel expenses. These countries include:<\/p>\n