In Latvia, medical costs are very high for many people, especially for patients with serious illnesses, and the state does not cover them in full. Employers can support their employees financially, but the existing regulation makes this financially disadvantageous. The bill, which is in its 3rd reading in Parliament (Saeima), proposes significant changes that could change this system and allow employers to cover medical costs without an additional tax burden. This article informs you about the expected changes and the consequences for employers and employees alike.

Conclusion of the article from the previous week.

The mere fact that the owner of a trade secret considers certain information to be a trade secret or recognises it internally as such is not sufficient. Section 6 of the Trade Secrets Protection Law requires the trade secret owner, when disclosing such information to a natural or legal person, to indicate which information is to be considered a trade secret and, at the same time, to inform about the need to ensure the protection of such information.

Conclusion of the article from the previous week.

All taxable persons are obliged to register for VAT purposes, unless they can be considered a small business, i.e., if the total value of taxable transactions carried out domestically and also certain non-taxable transactions does not exceed EUR 50,000 per calendar year (+EUR 5,000 per year).

Every six months, the Council of the European Union (EU) reviews and updates the list of countries and territories with low taxes or duty-free allowances. The last review took place on 18 February 2025. On 27 February 2025, the current list of low-tax or tax-free territories was published in the Latvijas Vestnesis, which is in force from 1 March 2025.

As of 1 January 2025, verification documents (invoices) will be created in a structured electronic invoice or e-invoice format for settlements with state and municipal institutions. Such an electronic invoice may contain trade secrets and certain procedures must be followed to ensure their protection. How can I protect trade secrets in electronic invoicing?

As you may known, Etsy is one of the largest international internet trading platforms offering handmade items of various categories. Sales of their products, products, artworks through various trading platforms are currently popular.

What should be taken into account by sellers who have chosen to make use of the opportunities offered by the platforms in the application of VAT in the course of their economic activities? 20.02.2025. The national Revenue Service published a briefing material: “Information material application of VAT to transactions on online platforms.” This Article casts some light on it.