Value Added Tax (VAT)
Tax authority issues guidance on VAT policy and invoicing for returned exported goods
The Tax Department has issued Official Letter No. 2193/CT-CS providing guidance on the VAT treatment and invoicing requirements applicable to returned exported goods.
Where exported goods for which a VAT refund has already been granted are subsequently returned by the overseas purchaser, the taxpayer is required to submit a supplementary tax declaration in accordance with the Law on Tax Administration and Decree No. 126/2020/ND-CP. In addition, the taxpayer must repay the VAT refund amount corresponding to the returned exported goods, together with any late payment interest, calculated from the date on which the State Treasury disbursed the VAT refund or the date on which the refunded amount was offset against amounts payable to the state budget.
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Official guidance on supporting documentation for deductible expenses for CIT purposes
The Ninh Binh Provincial Tax Department has issued guidance on the supporting documentation required for the recognition of deductible expenses for Corporate Income Tax ("CIT") purposes.
Where an enterprise purchases goods or services on a per-transaction basis with a value of VND 5 million or more, and payment has not yet been made at the time the expense is recognised in accordance with Point (c), Clause 13, Article 3 of Circular No. 20/2026/TT-BTC dated 12 March 2026 issued by the Ministry of Finance, the supporting documentation must include a goods or services purchase contract and a goods or services delivery and acceptance record executed between the purchaser and the seller.
The execution of contracts, delivery and acceptance records, and other relevant forms should comply with the applicable provisions of the Civil Code, the Vietnam Maritime Code, the Law on Commerce, the Law on Accounting, and other relevant legal instruments.
(Official Letter No. 4358/NBI-QLDN2 dated 15 April 2026 issued by the Ninh Binh Provincial Tax Department)
Personal Income Tax (PIT)
Monthly PIT filing officially abolished from 2026
As part of the Government's administrative reform initiatives, the monthly filing requirement for Personal Income Tax ("PIT") in respect of employment income will be officially abolished from 2026 and replaced by a mandatory quarterly filing regime.
Businesses and individuals should note the following key changes introduced under Resolution No. 66/NQ-CP and Decision No. 1109/QD-BTC:
- Change in filing frequency: The administrative procedures relating to monthly PIT declarations (Administrative Procedure Codes 2.002235 and 2.002237) are officially abolished. All enterprises, regardless of their annual revenue (including those with annual revenue exceeding VND 50 billion), will be required to file PIT returns on a quarterly basis.
- Consolidation of tax data: PIT liabilities arising in each month shall be aggregated and reported in the corresponding quarterly PIT return. (For example, PIT liabilities arising in April, May and June 2026 will be reported in the Q2/2026 PIT return.)
- Applicable filing forms: Income-paying organisations shall continue using Form No. 05/KK-TNCN and Appendix No. 05-1/PBT-KK-TNCN (where applicable).
- Filing deadline: Quarterly PIT returns must be submitted no later than the last day of the first month of the following quarter. Taxpayers may submit their tax returns directly to the tax authority, by post, or electronically via the Electronic Tax Portal.
Tax Administration
Official Letter No. 1902/CT-CĐS on coordinated measures to prevent tax fraud involving multiple accounting systems
The Tax Department has issued Official Letter No. 1902/CT-CĐS dated 31 March 2026 to strengthen coordination in preventing tax fraud involving the parallel operation of multiple accounting record systems.
Key requirements include the following:
- Requirements for software providers: Accounting software developers and solution providers must not develop or support functionalities that allow taxpayers to maintain or operate two or more parallel accounting record systems within the same financial year.
- Data monitoring and connectivity: Accounting and sales software must incorporate audit trail functionality to record historical changes and automatically transmit accurate electronic invoice data to the tax authority.
- Submission of customer information: Technology solution providers and accounting software vendors are required to review their customer base, compile a list of taxpayers using their software, and submit the relevant information to the Tax Department via email at [email protected]
