Vietnam Deputy PM orders resolution of tax and customs hurdles

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang led a working session with ministries, local authorities, and businesses to resolve difficulties regarding taxation and customs. The session aimed to address issues impacting business costs, cash flow, and competitiveness.

Key concerns raised by businesses include value-added tax (VAT), tax refunds, electronic invoicing, corporate income tax, and policies for small and medium-sized enterprises. In the customs sector, issues involve specialized inspections, commodity classification, and clearance times. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that many problems stem from inconsistent interpretations and applications of the law across different agencies.

The Ministry of Finance reported that in the first seven months of 2026, tax and fee exemptions, reductions, and extensions totaled approximately 173.6 trillion VND. Additionally, administrative compliance costs in the tax sector decreased by about 51% compared to 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Thang instructed the Ministry of Finance to urgently handle or provide guidance on petitions within its authority by August 31. He emphasized that agencies must coordinate through a single-window mechanism and avoid forcing businesses to