Filenews 6 November 2025
"VAT is by far the largest source of revenue for the state every year," said Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, in her opening speech at the CYVA VAT Forum 2025, held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Kousioumis Estate in Nicosia.
The Forum, organized by the Cyprus VAT Association (CYVA) and gathered almost 200 delegates, had as its central theme the present and future of VAT, perhaps the most important tax both in Cyprus and internationally.
Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, Ms. Piki said that in 2024 VAT brought €2,8 billion, a percentage of 38% of the total revenues of the Republic, recording an increase of 6.8% compared to 2023 and 25.8% compared to 2022.
The Deputy Minister underlined that "VAT affects every citizen and every business" and that the effectiveness of the Cypriot VAT system is inextricably linked to the reform of the public sector and the strategic planning of the government.
"Reform," he added, "is the architecture of our future."
Referring to the upcoming tax reform promoted by the government, Ms. Piki noted that its goal is "a fairer redistribution of wealth, simplification, transparency and strengthening the competitiveness of businesses".
He also emphasized that organizations like CYVA play an important role in shaping a modern and fair tax system, as they unite professionals from different sectors, bridging the gap between policy and practice and transforming complex legislations into workable solutions that serve both the public interest and the needs of the market.
The Forum hosted distinguished speakers from Cyprus and the European Union, such as the Cypriot Vice-President of the General Court of the EU, Dr. Savvas Papasavvas, the Référendaire of the Court of Justice of the EU, Prof. Dr. David Hummel, the President of the International VAT Association (IVA), Fernando Matesanz, the IVA Advisor, Raymond Feen, and the PhD Candidate of the University of Leipzig, Felician Hummel.
The Integrated Tax Administration System team of the Tax Department also participated in the Forum, which presented the progress of the Tax For All (TFA) platform, and its contribution to the development of the Department.
The Vice President of CYVA and well-known expert on VAT issues, Alexis Tsielepis, shared with the audience moments from the daily life of a VAT consultant, stating that he is a "VATaholic".
The programme also included a high-level panel with leading experts who analysed key issues affecting the implementation of VAT today.
The Forum opened and ended with statements by the President of CYVA, Dimitra Konstantinou, who welcomed and thanked the delegates for their participation.
The CYVA VAT Forum 2025 was held with the support of Bakertilly Klitou and Partners, Chelco VAT Ltd, Costas Tsielepis & Co Ltd, Kinanis LLC, PK NovusTax & Co Ltd, Andersen CY, Andreas Konnaris LLC, CyBooks, Eurofast, Fincrew Ltd, Nexia Poyiadjis, Scordis Papapetrou & Co LLC and K. Treppides & Co Ltd.
CYVA was founded in 2019, with the aim of offering a unified and independent voice to professionals and businesses in Cyprus on Value Added Tax (VAT) issues.
The primary objectives of the establishment of CYVA are to promote tax, legal and related VAT issues with the government, the legislature and the Department of Taxation for their adoption and implementation, to contribute to the proper implementation of European Directives and Regulations regarding VAT in Cyprus legislation, to modernize and simplify the Cyprus VAT legislation and to consult with the European Commission and other international bodies on Cyprus VAT issues.
Another important purpose of the association is to educate its members, professional bodies and organizations – governmental and non-governmental – on VAT issues and to promote and serve the social and wider public interest in relation to indirect taxation issues.
