Vietnam updates business registration and corporate tax regulations

Vietnam is implementing new regulatory measures to enhance business transparency and align with global tax standards. Under Decree 296/2026/ND-CP, the government has prohibited the practice of individuals or organizations acting as nominal owners for capital contributions in enterprises. Effective July 23, 2026, all capital contributors must be directly named in registration documents to ensure the accuracy of ownership information and prevent disputes.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Finance has proposed amendments to corporate income tax regulations regarding the global minimum tax framework. The proposal aims to comply with OECD Pillar Two guidelines while protecting key investment projects. Specifically, the draft suggests that supplementary domestic corporate income tax for BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) electricity projects with government guarantees may be set at zero for the relevant fiscal year, provided the contracts were signed before January 1, 2024. This measure is intended to maintain a stable investment environment and address challenges faced by major energy projects under new international tax rules.