Venezuela: Changes to VAT exemptions; designation of VAT withholding agents
Report on recent VAT guidance
The following value added tax (VAT) guidance was recently issued:
- Decree No. 5,145 (issued June 30, 2025) suspends exemptions provided for in Section 1 of Article 17 of the VAT Law (primarily targeting basic food products, medicines, fertilizers, medical equipment, as well as books, newspapers, and specific fuels), while also providing for a VAT exemption for definitive imports of tangible personal property made by the bodies and entities of the National Public Administration, as well as those made with own resources by natural or legal persons.
- Administrative Ruling SNAT/2025/000054 (issued July 16, 2025) designates the entities qualified as special taxpayers by the National Integrated Service for the Administration of Customs Duties and Taxes (SENIAT) as responsible for the payment of VAT as withholding agents.
Read an August 2025 report (Spanish) prepared by the KPMG member firm in Venezuela