On Tuesday 20 May, the Faculty of Law, in collaboration with the law firm Cuatrecasas, held a new edition of its online seminar focused on the latest VAT developments. The session was led by Ricardo Álvarez, general assistant director of Value Added Tax from the Directorate General for Taxation, and was introduced by Meritxell Yus, partner at Cuatrecasas, and Dr Salvador Durany, director of the Master’s Degree in Laws in Taxation: Planning and Guidance (MAF), who contextualised the session and the key points addressed.

In his speech, Álvarez reviewed the main changes to VAT regulations in place for 2025.  These included the end of the temporary VAT reduction on certain basic foodstuffs, which have returned to the super-reduced rate of 4% as of 1 January.  He also highlighted the inclusion of olive oil in the super-reduced rate – a measure aimed at curbing consumer prices.

Another key topic of the talk was a review of the developments arising from the EU-driven ViDA (VAT in the digital age) project and its implementation timeline. 

Álvarez also touched on the current digitalisation measures underway, including new requirements for invoicing systems and software – commonly referred to as the “Veri-factu system” – as well as the progress of the mandatory e-invoicing project.

The seminar was attended by students of both the Master’s and Postgraduate Programmes in Tax Advisory Services (MAF and PAF), alongside lecturers and professionals in the field of taxation. 

The Faculty of Law has been it holds this the online training for years specialised, promoted by the Master's Degree in Laws in Taxation: Planning and Guidance, in close collaboration with Cuatrecasas. As lecturer Durany noted, “These sessions allow our students to engage directly with the latest regulations and the experts who interpret them – a key step in developing their practical and ongoing training.”