Thailand: Import Tariff Exemptions
Thailand’s government has approved the waiving of duties on their imports of machinery and spare parts, until the end of June 2012. The measure was taken to help businesses with plants damaged by the floods in the country. The measure will cover
See MoreSwitzerland adopts four DTAs
On 29 November 2011 it has been published that Switzerland’s Federal Council has adopted the dispatches on four further double taxation agreements (DTAs), which will now be submitted to parliament for approval. The negotiated economic benefits of
See MoreExpansion of Preferential Tariffs in South Korea
With effect from January 1, 2012 a further expansion of its tariff exemption programme for products from least-developed countries (LDCs) has been announced by the South Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance. Mostly 250 items of agricultural,
See MoreChina’s pilot scheme on VAT in Shanghai
A pilot scheme to replace the existing business tax on the country’s service sector with value added tax (VAT) has been declared by China’s Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation. The project will be in Shanghai starting
See MoreAutomated Transactions Tax has been approved by the French Senate
The French Senate approved plans to establish a tax on automated transactions in France, on 23 November 2011, to curb the rapid rise in high frequency trading. The new initiative proposes to impose from January 1, 2012, a tax on certain investment
See MoreAustria: Lawmakers approve 2012 Budget
During a third reading, Austria’s National Council recently adopted the country’s 2012 budget, providing for a deficit of 3.2%, as well as for state debt of 74.6% of gross domestic product (GDP). Drawn up under the motto “stable finances for a
See MoreTaiwan: Income Tax Exemption on Royalties
The income tax exemption for royalties paid to foreign enterprises will be limited to the extent of their domestic use as per declaration of the Taiwan’s National Tax Administration (NTA). The NTA confirmed that the domestic companies that, when
See MoreAnnulment of contractors’ tax by US
The United States Congress has finally approved a legislation to repeal the 3% withholding tax on payments made to contractors providing services to government entities. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote. When
See MoreChina plans VAT and Service tax reform in Shanghai
Chinese State Administration of Taxation published a new proposal for Chinese VAT and Business Tax reforms plans for a 2012 to consolidate the overlapping between VAT and Business Tax. The pilot scheme is proposed to take place in Shanghai and the
See MorePhilippines: Thresholds for VAT exemptions increased
The threshold amounts for value added tax (VAT) on sales and leases of residential lots and houses has been increased to offset the rise in the consumer price index by the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). According to the regulations
See MoreGermany expects additional tax revenues in 2011
The tax estimate unveiled recently by the German finance ministry predicts higher tax revenues both this year and in the coming years, than previously predicted in the May forecast. The German finance ministry confirmed after the meeting in Halle of
See MorePhilippines: Retirement account tax regulations issued
The Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) enacted new revenue regulations to implement the tax provisions of the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Act. The regulations will come into effect on January 1, 2012. Under the Act, each
See MoreChina: Tax thresholds for small businesses raised
From November 1, the minimum thresholds for business tax have been increased by China’s Ministry of Finance, aiming at provision of tax relief for the country’s smallest companies that have been greatly affected recently by increased costs and
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