Confusion in VAT Rates in Slovakia: A Looming Challenge

• VAT rates in Slovakia are confusing with different rates for similar items
• Slovakia has three VAT rates set at 20 percent, 10 percent, and 5 percent until the end of 2024
• From January 1, 2025, the VAT rates will change to 23 percent for the standard rate, and 19 percent and 5 percent for the other two
• There is often confusion about which VAT rate applies to which goods or services
• Merchants cannot arbitrarily choose a higher or lower VAT rate for goods or services
• VAT rates do not uniformly apply to categories like fruits and vegetables but vary by specific types
• Political motives often influence decisions on VAT rate adjustments, especially around election times
• Quick decisions on VAT without thorough consultation and feedback have led to inconsistencies and confusion
• Examples include different VAT rates for similar vegetables and services depending on specific characteristics or how they are served

Source: podnikajte.sk

Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.

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