The amendments to the Law on Value Added Tax (the “VAT Law”), published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 80/2026, introduce a number of changes concerning VAT registration and deregistration, the filing of VAT returns, and the correction of errors in VAT calculations relating to previous tax periods.
Although the amendments entered into force on 8 September 2026, most of the new provisions will apply as of 1 January 2027.
The amendments are particularly relevant to companies and entrepreneurs considering entering or leaving the VAT system, undergoing corporate reorganisations, or ceasing business operations. The new provisions also introduce changes to the procedures followed by the tax authorities where taxpayers fail to submit VAT returns within the prescribed deadlines.
Below is an overview of some of the key changes introduced by the amendments to the VAT Law.
1. Revised Mandatory VAT Registration Period
One of the key amendments concerns the minimum period during which taxpayers are required to remain registered for VAT purposes.
Under the new rules, taxpayers must remain subject to VAT obligations for at least the calendar year in which they are registered and the following calendar year, replacing the previously prescribed mandatory registration period of two years.
This provision applies to small businesses and farmers who voluntarily register for VAT, as well as taxpayers whose turnover exceeds the statutory threshold of RSD 8,000,000, thereby triggering mandatory VAT registration.
2. Changes to VAT Deregistration Procedures
A VAT-registered taxpayer whose total turnover has not exceeded RSD 8,000,000 during the preceding 12 months is required to submit an application for VAT deregistration within five days of ceasing VAT-related activities.
Under the amended provisions, taxpayers may determine the effective date of cessation of their VAT-related activities, provided that such date is not earlier than the first day of the period in which the statutory conditions for deregistration have been met.
The same five-day deadline applies to taxpayers permanently ceasing their business operations. This replaces the previous requirement to submit an application for VAT deregistration at least 15 days before filing an application for removal from the Business Registers Agency's register.
Similar changes have been introduced in relation to corporate reorganisations resulting in the dissolution of a VAT-registered entity. In such cases, the entity's legal successor must notify the competent tax authority of the completed corporate reorganisation within five days, instead of the previously prescribed 15-day period. Following such notification, the tax authority will initiate the deregistration procedure ex officio and issue a certificate confirming the entity's removal from the VAT register.
3. Introduction of Ex Officio Filing of VAT Returns
One of the most significant amendments concerns the procedure applicable where a taxpayer fails to file a VAT return within the statutory deadline.
Under the new provisions, where a taxpayer fails to submit a VAT return on time, the competent tax authority will prepare and file the return ex officio, based on the information contained in the preliminary VAT return.
A VAT return filed in this manner will contain only information relating to output VAT calculated for the relevant tax period.
4. Correction of VAT Errors Relating to Previous Tax Periods
The amendments also introduce changes to the procedure for correcting errors in VAT calculations relating to previous tax periods.
Earlier amendments to the VAT Law, which were scheduled to take effect in January 2027, introduced the possibility of correcting VAT calculation errors relating to previous tax periods through the VAT return for the current tax period, without the need to submit an amended return.
However, the latest amendments repeal this previously envisaged mechanism.
Consequently, errors relating to previous tax periods will, as a general rule, have to be corrected by filing amended VAT returns for the respective periods.
At the same time, amendments to the Law on Tax Procedure and Tax Administration abolish the previous restriction on the number of amended tax returns that may be filed for the same tax period. As a result, taxpayers will be permitted to submit an unlimited number of amended returns for the same tax period, replacing the previous limit of two amendments, subject to the otherwise applicable statutory requirements and time limits.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The application of the relevant statutory provisions depends on the specific circumstances and tax status of each taxpayer.