The European Court of Justice established in its ruling of 28 February 2023 that online platform OnlyFans is liable for value added tax (VAT) on the full amount paid by subscribers to content creators, not only on the 20% fee that the platform is charging creators of the sums paid by fans. This decision supports the position of the UK tax authority (HMRC) and further emphasizes the tax obligations of online platforms, regardless of their place of establishment.
Deceptive Green Advertising
A fast-track analysis by the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has found that in many cases, companies' advertising communications suggesting sustainability are not backed up by easily accessible and relevant evidence for consumers. The result of the fast-track analyses was disclosed on 17 February 2023.
New Rules on the Whistleblowing System
EU Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report infringements of EU law was adopted in 2019 and should have been transposed into national law by the Member States until 17 December 2021. The Directive obliges the Member States to set up a three-step notification system.
A New Building Act Is Coming - Concept of the Act on Hungarian Architecture
At the beginning of March 2023, the Ministry of Construction and Transport published the concept of the Act on Hungarian Architecture for public consultation. The new act would include, as a clear code, the act on the chambers of the designer and expert engineers and architects, the Building Act, the acts the protection of the townscape and on the protection of cultural heritage with updated content.
The CEE Winter Shutdown
With numerous reports of energy-related business shutdowns, we reached out to local experts across CEE to understand what different markets have been dealing with, in terms of work and production stoppages, and look into the broader impact.
Disclosure of Penalty Points in Light of the GDPR
In its judgment 2021:504 in Case C 439/19, the Court of Justice of the European Union stated that those national rules that oblige the public bodies registering penalty points to disclose such information to persons requesting access without a specific interest, is contrary to GDPR.
Planned Changes to the Rules on State Aid Granted by Individual Government Decisions
The Hungarian Government is planning to amend its investment promotion regulation, therefore, it published the related documentation on 1 February 2023. The amendments would ensure that aid may be granted for primary agricultural production if the subject of the aid is a research and development project relating to primary agricultural production. In addition, aid for research and development would not only be available for investors that qualify as large enterprises, but also for medium-sized enterprises, in case their combined average statistical headcount reaches 100 persons.
Changes to Hungarian Real Property Taxation in 2023
Major changes have come into force under the 2023 tax law amendments in Hungary, which mainly include reliefs, such as the extension of the application of the 5% VAT rate on the sale of new housing on the one hand, but on the other hand, bring restrictions to real property related duties.
Commuting Allowance Doubled in Hungary
Employees are entitled to compensation from their employers for commuting from another town or city. Due to the significant increase in fuel prices, the corresponding thresholds have been doubled by the end of the ‘state of emergency’ in effect (end of June 2023, for now).
Court of Justice Decision on Liability of Member States for Damages Caused by Air Pollution
In a recent case (C-61/21), contrary to settled case-law, the Court of Justice of the European Union did not oblige a Member State to pay compensation. Article 13 of the 2008/50/EC Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe obliges Member States to ensure that ambient air levels of NO2 and PM10 do not exceed EU-wide limit values. A resident in the Paris region considered that the French State had failed to ensure this and by this he has suffered damage to his health since 2003, caused by the deterioration of the ambient air quality in the Paris agglomeration. For these damages, he has claimed a total of EUR 21 million from the French State as compensation.
Corporate Governance in Hungary
Contributed by KCG Partners.
Major Overhaul of Green Tax Regulation in Hungary
Circular products, extended producer responsibility, mandatory return system: new terms and new concept behind the new green tax regulation coming in 2023 in Hungary. The modification of the Green Tax Act has been already adopted, and the governmental decree with the specifications is to follow.
New Land-related Provisions from 1 January 2023
On 1 January 2023, a new act on the transfer of agricultural farms entered into force. The management of generational issues and the smoothing of generational change in agriculture is essential for the future of the Hungarian agriculture. In addition, the security of Hungary’s food production could be jeopardised if farm succession is not carried out properly or at all, therefore, the new act aims to help the agricultural sector to renew itself generationally.
Hungarian Businesses to Benefit from Future Construction Legislation
Following the elections in April 2022, an independent ministry was created in Hungary to manage, control and regulate construction and investment activities. Shortly after meetings with the representatives of professional organizations were held to provide the basis for further legislative work on the preparation of a new framework law on the institutional, substantive and procedural rules governing public investment.
Temporary Reduction of the Enforceability and Applicability of Late Payment Interest
According to the Hungarian Civil Code, the debtor is liable to pay interest on any owed money that has fallen due from the first day of the delay in payment, even if the use of the money was free of charge until the delay.
The New Land Registry Act Postponed to 1 February 2024
On 2 December 2022, a new act entered into force on the modification of certain acts related to the operation of territorial administration, the land registry and regional development. Under the new act, the new Land Registry Act will enter into force one year later, on 1 February 2024, instead of 1 February 2023 as planned originally. The new modifying act also contains other amendments.
2023 Tax Changes Updated by Fall Tax Package
The 2022 Fall Tax Package has been officially accepted by the Hungarian Parliament with the changes for 2023. The tax package does not bring fundamental changes, but includes finetuning with many different taxes, e.g. SMEs, real estate transactions and local business taxation.
Changes to the Labour Code: More Paternity, Parental and Carer Leave
A proposal for the modification of the Labour Code was filed to the Hungarian Parliament on 2 November 2022. The bill aims to ensure compliance with the EU Directives No. 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers and No. 2019/1152 on transparent and predictable working conditions.