The new VAT Consolidated Act (Legislative Decree No. 10 of 19 January 2026) will enter into force on January 1th 2027, replacing Presidential Decree No. 633/72. Most substantive VAT rules will remain unchanged, but legislative references will change. Businesses must update invoices, VAT codes and corporate documentation by December 31th 2026.
What the new VAT Consolidated Act provides
The new legislation brings together the main VAT provisions into 171 articles, previously contained in several legislative acts, including Presidential Decree No. 633/72, Legislative Decree No. 331/93 and Legislative Decree No. 41/95.
The reform is essentially a consolidation exercise. Existing provisions are reorganised without substantial changes to their content. However, article numbering changes to follow the structure of Directive 2006/112/EC.
Implementing regulations and decrees remain outside the Consolidated Act.
Main changes to article numbering
The most relevant correspondences between previous and new legislative references include:
- VAT-exempt transactions: Article 10 → Article 37.
- Exports: Article 8 → Article 45.
- Intra-Community supplies: Article 41 of Legislative Decree No. 331/93 → Article 39.
- VAT deduction: Article 19 → Article 56.
- Reverse charge: Article 17 → Article 64.
- Split payment: Article 17-ter → Article 65.
- Invoices: Articles 21 and 21-bis → Articles 72 and 73.
- Margin scheme: Article 36 of Legislative Decree No. 41/95 → Article 143 and Table D.
Operational requirements for businesses
From January 1th 2027, references to Presidential Decree No. 633/72 and Legislative Decree No. 331/93 must be replaced.
Businesses must update invoice references, VAT codes and their descriptions in accounting and invoicing software.
The review must also cover contracts, general terms and conditions, price lists, forms and internal procedures. Particular attention is required for international transactions.
Previous legislation will continue to apply to tax periods up to and including 2026. Assessments concerning 2026 may be carried out until December 31th 2031.
What businesses should do by December 31th 2026
To prepare for the transition, businesses should:
- Contact their accounting software provider to arrange VAT code updates.
- Check the correspondence between old and new references with Studio RCG.
- Update standard invoice references.
- Review contracts, price lists and forms.
- Inform administrative staff about the new numbering.
- Check VAT registers and digital archiving systems.
These activities should begin promptly, as software updates may take several weeks.
Support from Studio RCG
Studio RCG is available to help businesses identify the necessary updates and manage the transition to the new VAT Consolidated Act.
For further information and assistance, please contact our firm through the contacts page.