Scope: Global
Status requires verification
EDN104 Adjusted rates of excise duty on spirits and wine effective April 1, 2026
Canada’s proposed amendment to the Excise Act, 2001 confirms that from 1 April 2026 excise duties on spirits and wine will continue to be adjusted annually based on CPI, but capped at 2% for two years. Rates effective from that date are published, and non-alcoholic spirits/wines (≤0.5%) remain exempt. This stabilises duty increases for producers and importers.
Editorial impact label: Low-Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: United Kingdom
Status requires verification
Increase of Remote Gaming Duty rate to 40% from April 2026
The Budget 2025 legislation implements an increase in Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) from 21% to 40% effective 1 April 2026; a new remote betting rate of 25% will come into force from 1 April 2027. Bingo Duty will be abolished from 1 April 2026. These changes are part of a package of remote gambling tax reforms including funding to combat illegal gambling. The reforms affect operators of online gambling platforms, particularly gaming (slots, online casinos) and remote betting operators, with varying rates depending on product category and whether bets are on horseracing. Implications include heavier tax burdens from gaming revenues, strategic rebalancing of product mix, price or fee adjustments, and compliance planning for different rates across activity types.
Editorial impact label: High
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: India & South Asia
Status requires verification
Objective and scope of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (India)
The foundational change: The Income-tax Act, 1961 has been repealed effective 1 April 2026, and replaced by the Income-tax Act, 2025. However, transitional provisions preserve old Act provisions for tax years before that date, including ongoing assessments and appeals. For AY 2026-27, returns fileable under old or new Acts depending on the period governed. Option exercised under old Act (new tax regime) is treated as made under the equivalent provision of the new Act.
Editorial impact label: High
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: United Kingdom
Proposed
Tackling tax adviser facilitated non-compliance by enhancing HMRC’s powers
Legislation to strengthen HMRC’s powers over tax advisers who deliberately facilitate non-compliance in their clients’ tax affairs will take effect from 1 April 2026. Measures include simplifying the process for file access notices (no tribunal approval required), increasing penalties for non-compliance or misreporting, and enabling HMRC to publish names of sanctioned advisers. The aim is to deter misconduct and reduce the tax gap by enhancing accountability among tax professionals.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: United Kingdom
Status requires verification
Millions to benefit from lower travel and food costs
UK Treasury has uprated the mileage rates for all taxpayers who use personal vehicles for work, increasing the tax-free mileage rate from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles, backdated to April 2026. Alongside this, over 100 everyday goods will see tariff reductions to ease cost-of-living pressures. The measure aims to directly reduce expenses for millions in UK workforce including self-employed and employees required to travel. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-to-benefit-from-lower-travel-and-food-costs?utm_source=openai))
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: United Kingdom
Status requires verification
National Living Wage increases to £12.71 per hour
Effective 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over increased to £12.71/hr. Other minimum wage rates for younger workers and apprentices also rose. These new rates are based on recommendations by the Low Pay Commission and apply across the UK.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: Canada
Status requires verification
Extension of 2 % cap on inflation adjustments and 50 % reduction on excise rates for first 15,000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada
Effective April 1, 2026, the government has **extended by two years**: a 2 % cap on the annual inflation adjustment for excise duties on beer, wine and spirits; and the 50 % reduced excise duty rate for the first 15 000 hectolitres of beer brewed in Canada. This provides predictable relief to small and craft breweries. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2026/04/extending-alcohol-excise-duty-relief-to-support-canadian-businesses.html?utm_source=openai))
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: Canada – British Columbia
Status requires verification
British Columbia Manufacturing and Processing Investment Tax Credit
A new refundable BC corporate tax credit effective **April 1, 2026**, for Canadian-controlled private corporations in BC making investments in buildings, machinery and equipment used for manufacturing or processing. The credit is temporary (expires in specific timeframes) and subject to exclusions and expenditure limits set by legislation. It is intended to spur investment in BC’s industrial and processing sectors. Region-specific (BC), Medium to High impact for eligible businesses.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: India & South Asia
Status requires verification
Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026 – Form ITR-BN & Appendix IV for search and requisition cases
India: The CBDT notified the Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026 (Notification No. 97/2026) introducing Form ITR-BN and inserting Appendix IV under Rule 332 to govern returns relating to search and requisition cases, effective from 1 April 2026. It clarifies requirement for tax return filing format for severely intrusive investigations. Implications include ensuring affected taxpayers comply under new formats and that software/tools are updated.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: United Kingdom
Proposed
Opportunities to Extend Notification of Uncertain Tax Treatment (UTT) regime
A consultation proposing to **extend the UTT regime** to include individuals and trusts, and to bring additional taxes within scope (SDLT, NICs, CIS, IHT, CGT), as well as introducing additional notification triggers. Aims to enhance transparency, reduce legal-interpretation tax gap. To apply to returns filed after 1 April following enactment in upcoming Finance Bill.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: India & South Asia
Status requires verification
Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026 – Introduction of Form ITR-BN and changes to Rule 332
The CBDT, by Notification No. 97/2026, introduced **Form ITR-BN** and amended Rule 332 (inserting Appendix IV) to govern returns in **search & requisition cases**. These rules take effect from **1 April 2026**, aligning with the new Income-tax Rules, 2026. Implications include new format and stricter disclosures for persons subject to search/requisition.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: India & South Asia
Status requires verification
Introduction of Form ITR-BN and Amendment of Rule 332 (Appendix IV) for Search & Requisition Cases
India’s CBDT via Notification No. 97/2026 (F. No. 370142/11/2026-TPL) has notified the Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, which introduces **Form ITR-BN** and amends Rule 332 by inserting **Appendix IV** to govern returns in relation to **search and requisition cases**. These amendments are **effective from 1 April 2026**.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: Africa
Status requires verification
VAT compulsory registration threshold increased to R2.3 million
From 1 April 2026, South Africa’s Minister of Finance increased the compulsory VAT registration threshold to R2.3 million per annum (up from R1 million), with voluntary registration threshold rising to R120,000.
Editorial impact label: High
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: Canada
Status requires verification
Canada Revenue Agency’s 2026-27 Departmental Plan: Strengthening Compliance, Modernizing Service
CRA’s 2026-27 Departmental Plan, released mid-March 2026, outlines new priorities including combating aggressive tax planning, fraud (especially GST/HST refund and carousel schemes), using data analytics, enhancing SR&ED claim processing via pre-claim approvals (reducing processing time from 180 to 90 days), and improving collections strategies with more digital tools and flexible repayment options.
Editorial impact label: High
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: British Columbia, Canada
Status requires verification
British Columbia manufacturing and processing investment tax credit
As part of BC’s 2026 provincial budget, a new temporary **refundable investment tax credit** for Canadian-controlled private corporations investing in manufacturing or processing buildings, machinery or equipment in BC comes into effect April 1, 2026. It aims to incentivize capital investment, reduce tax payable, improve cash flow via refundability, but comes with restrictions on eligible properties and expenditures.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: United Kingdom
Status requires verification
Business rates: Pubs and live music venues relief – local authority guidance
The government has introduced a 15% business rates reduction for eligible pubs and live music venues in England for the 2026/27 financial year, and announced that business rates bills for such premises will be frozen in real terms for 2027/28 and 2028/29.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: India & South Asia
Status requires verification
Notification S.O. 3610(E): No TDS on ship lease rent payments to IFSC Units
In India, under Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, via S.O. 3610(E) dated 3 July 2026, no deduction of tax shall be made under section 393(1) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 on payments in the nature of lease lease rent or supplemental lease rent to an IFSC Unit leasing a ship. The lessor (IFSC Unit) must furnish a statement-cum-declaration (Form 1(N)) specifying 20 consecutive tax years for which deduction under section 147 is opted. Applies only for those 20 years; otherwise TDS must be deducted. This imports clarity and tax relief for shipping lease operations via IFSC. Effective from 1 April 2026.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: India & South Asia
Status requires verification
Non-Deduction of TDS on Ship Lease Rent Paid to IFSC Units under Section 147
India: Under Notification No. 75/2026 (effective 1 April 2026), payments made in the nature of lease rent or supplemental lease rent for a ship, by a lessee to a unit of IFSC, shall not be subject to deduction of tax at source under Section 147 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, subject to furnishing a declaration in Form 1(N) and compliance with documentation requirements.
Editorial impact label: High
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: Global
Status requires verification
British Columbia manufacturing and processing investment tax credit announced effective April 1, 2026
British Columbia (Canada) introduced a new **temporary refundable credit** for Canadian-controlled private corporations investing in buildings, machinery, and equipment used in manufacturing and processing starting April 1, 2026. The credit aims to boost capital investment in the province and improve competitiveness. Exclusions and spend limits apply.
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source
Scope: Global
Status requires verification
UK Budget 2025 increases to Corporation Tax late filing penalties for returns due on or after 1 April 2026
Budget 2025 legislates to raise late-filing penalties for Corporation Tax returns in the UK. Penalties increase significantly for returns filed late—£100 to £200 if late, £200 to £400 if more than 3 months late, and escalating for repeated failures. Effective from returns due **1 April 2026**. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2025-overview-of-tax-legislation-and-rates-ootlar/budget-2025-overview-of-tax-legislation-and-rates-ootlar?utm_source=openai))
Editorial impact label: Medium
- Published
- Not recorded
- Policy event
- Not recorded
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Verification
- Not recorded
Open cited source