The Portuguese Food Safety and Economic Authority (ASAE) has implemented a series of measures to address the recent breaches of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) zero rate by several supermarkets in the country.
This comes after ASAE instigated 16 criminal proceedings against these supermarkets for non-compliance with VAT regulations.
Out of 160 supermarkets inspected, 16 supermarkets were accused of noncompliance with the zero VAT charge on certain products. Instead, they have allegedly been charging their customers the standard VAT rate, which is considerably higher.
The measures to combat this include more frequent inspections of supermarkets to verify compliance with VAT zero regulations, fines, and the strengthening of cooperation with the tax authority.
ASAE has encouraged consumers to report any violations of VAT regulations by supermarkets.
In April, the government announced a VAT zero measure for 46 food products, chosen in line with the Ministry of Health. Consumers will not be charged VAT on these products for the time being. The VAT zero measure applies to:
- Bread
- Potato
- Pasta Rice
Dairy
- Cow Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
Fruits
- Apple
- Banana
- Orange
- Pears
- Melon
Vegetables
- Red beans
- Black-eyed beans
- Chickpeas
- Onion
- Tomato
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Courgette
- Leek
- Pumpkin
- Sprouts
- Portuguese Cabbage
- Spinach
- Turnip
- Peas
Meat and Fish
- Pig
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Cow
- Codfish
- Sardine
- Pescada
- Mackerel
- Dourada
- Cavala
Fats and Oils
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable Oils
- Butter
Other Products
- Canned tuna
- Chicken eggs
- Plant base yogurt and milk
- Gluten-free products for celiacs
