Japan: Raise of consumption tax rate

December 31, 2011

It was published on 31 December 2011 that, the Japanese coalition government has put forward long awaited plans to raise Japanese consumption tax to 10% by April 2015 in two steps. First there will be an increase from the current 5% consumption tax

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UK: Latest Transfer Pricing Statistics Released

December 30, 2011

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) settled the UK’s Transfer Pricing rules such a way that the pricing of transactions between connected can result into an increased revenue yield. The internationally recognized ‘arm’s length principle’ is

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Settlement of Small Tax Debts by 120,000 Italians

December 29, 2011

120,000 taxpayers have taken the opportunity to settle their small tax debts with the Revenue Agency In accordance with the tax administration provisions of the Italian budget approved in July 2011. From July, by immediately paying the tax due,

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Budget deficit is shrinking in Canada

December 29, 2011

According to the latest Fiscal Monitor published by the Canadian Ministry of Finance the Canadian monthly budgetary deficit has fallen remarkably per annum. According to them the revenue increased by 8.1% each year as a result of higher personal

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Reduced VAT in 2013 in Bulgaria

December 29, 2011

The Bulgarian government announced that it will reduce the nation’s value-added tax by 1% in 2013 with a target of reaching 16% by 2015. The government said that in order to freeze the excise duty hikes until 2015, a cut from the current 20% rate

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Austria – Mulls wealth-related taxes in EUR10bn package

December 29, 2011

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger recently united on plans for a five-year budgetary consolidation package, amounting to a total volume of around EUR10bn (USD13bn), to be agreed by the end of February

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2012 Budget issued by the Japanese government

December 28, 2011

The Government of Japan has approved and submitted a JPY90.3 trillion budget for the next fiscal year, beginning on April 1, 2012. The proposed budget will be presented to the country’s parliament early in 2012. The Japanese government has

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“Save Italy” Budget is approved

December 27, 2011

The Italian government has finally approved the "Save Italy" budget with few modifications, except for those previously agreed by the government. Despite continued opposition from different groups, especially, the trade union to the pension reforms

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Revised DTA between Germany and Switzerland entered into force

December 27, 2011

The revised double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Germany has now entered into force following a recent exchange of the instruments of ratification. The revision of the existing DTA between the two countries was signed on October

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Philippines: Increase in individual income tax revenue from 2012

December 27, 2011

In order to increase the collection of individual income tax by some 15%, the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has disclosed that it will raise its budget in 2012. Individual income tax represents over 20% of BIR’s annual revenue

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TIEA between UK and Dominica in forced

December 25, 2011

A Tax Information Exchange Agreement between the United Kingdom and Dominica entered into force on 23 December 2011. The agreement was signed in London on 31 March

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Belgian Rules on import warehouse fiscal representatives

December 20, 2011

Thes European Court of Justice recently reviewed the VAT liability of fiscal representative to any VAT default by their clients. The Belgian VAT authorities offer a special import VAT deferment scheme for companies importing into Europe for the

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2012 Budget has been restored by the French Deputies

December 20, 2011

In order to achieve its ambitious deficit reduction targets, the French National Assembly has essentially restored the initial bill proposed by the government, which contains a raft of targeted tax rises and cuts in public spending. Certain

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Canada: Corporate tax filing rules amended

December 19, 2011

The tax deferral rules are to be amended in Canada’s corporate partnership to extend the time available to companies to file an alignment election. According to the existing regime corporate partners can choose the fiscal period of their

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DTA with Taiwan has been recognized by Switzerland

December 16, 2011

Switzerland’s Federal Council has recently recognized the double taxation agreement (DTA) of October 8, 2007 with Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). The federal act on the recognition of private agreements for the avoidance of double taxation of June 17,

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Luxembourg: Crisis contribution repealed

December 15, 2011

Draft law n°6350 on the State budget for 2012 has been voted by Parliament on 8 December 2011. Although a couple of steps still need to be completed for the law to be published in the Luxembourg official gazette, it is unlikely that its content

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UK: VAT registration threshold drops for foreign businesses

December 11, 2011

Following a recent European Court of Justice Case, Schmez C 97/09, the Value Added Tax registration threshold for foreign businesses has been forced to be withdrawn by the UK. The change will be effective from the end of 2012. According to this

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Ireland: VAT rate raise from 21% to 23%

December 07, 2011

The government of Ireland announce an increase of its standard VAT rate from 21% to 23% from January 2012. This increase is an acceleration of plans to raise the VAT rate to 23% by 2014. The government’s main target is to reduce the GDP deficit

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