News

Starting 1 January 2026, access to the State Revenue Service (VID) Electronic Declaration System (EDS) will only be possible using secure electronic identification tools. This change aims to strengthen data protection for both individuals and businesses in Latvia.

Tax Overview for Global Mobility is a cross-border guide addressing the tax, social security, and compliance challenges faced by employees and employers operating internationally. As part of this collaborative project, Numeri contributed the Estonian and Latvian chapter, providing expertise on tax residency and personal income tax in the regions, social security and health insurance rules for mobile workers, double taxation relief mechanisms and key compliance and reporting obligations.

Companies operating in an international business environment face constantly changing regulations, cultural differences, and economic fluctuations. This is exactly where a well-functioning supervisory board plays a key role, a strategic governance body whose importance goes far beyond oversight: it sets the vision, guides growth, and ensures long-term sustainability.

The EU and the US have agreed on a new tariff framework that aims to restore trade stability and avoid a looming escalation in duties. The deal offers predictability for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic at a time when global supply chains remain vulnerable and geopolitical tensions continue to reshape international commerce.

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and deceptive. They impersonate representatives from local eSignature companies, "Google", State Banks, State Police, State Financial institutions, or even emergency medical services with the goal of stealing personal data, gaining access to eSignature or Smart-ID, and ultimately - your money. Most people lose funds through credit transfers or card payments, and many of these transactions are approved by the victims themselves.

From 15 July to 6 August 2025, the EU has suspended retaliatory tariffs on US-made goods - originally imposed in response to US import duties on EU products. This pause is driven by renewed efforts to negotiate a trade resolution.

New guidelines from Latvia’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FID) and insights from the June 2025 FATF report highlight growing risks of indirect sanctions evasion - particularly through countries like China, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and others. These red flags aren’t just relevant to Latvian companies. The same principles apply across the Baltics, where businesses in finance, logistics, IT, and trade must remain alert to hidden end-users, suspicious trade routes, and deceptive intermediaries. FID and FATF guidelines outline practical steps for Baltic companies to assess sanctions risks and avoid becoming part of illicit networks.

According to the Estonian income tax legislation, the fringe benefit taxation applies to loans granted below the fair market value interest rate to the employee or member of the board or council, except if the interest at the moment of the payment of interest is at least twofold of the interest rate of the European Central Bank applicable to the main refinancing operations. From 1 July 2025, the referred twofold amount of interest rate has decreased from 6,3% to 4,3%.

The Estonian Parliament adopted on 18 June 2025 further tax changes prepared by the Government, according to which the security tax will be abolished, but the VAT rate will still be raised to 24% from 1 July 2025 and the income tax rate will be increased also to 24% from 1 January 2026.

The sun stands high, the night sleeps short. We trade our screens for fields and sport. With wreaths and songs, we greet the light - our hours shift for Midsummer’s night.

As of 10 June, Latvia has implemented significant amendments to its legal framework governing international and national sanctions. These changes establish clearer administrative and criminal liability for violations and aim to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

In a move aimed at giving businesses more time to adapt, the Latvian government has decided to postpone the mandatory use of structured electronic invoices (e-invoices) for private businesses. Originally slated for 2026, the requirement will now take effect on 1 January 2028, following the Saeima’s recent approval of amendments to the Accounting Law.