ECJ to consider scope of the VAT exemption for financial services
The First Tier Tribunal in the UK has referred a question to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) concerning the application of the VAT exemption for financial services in the case of Bookit Ltd (Case C-607/14). The following issues have been
See MoreOECD publishes comments received on VAT/GST guidelines
On 24 February 2015 the OECD published on its website the comments received on its consultation document on aspects of the International VAT/GST Guidelines. Almost fifty responses were received from professional firms, trade and professional bodies
See MoreRussia: Guidance on definition of related parties
The Finance Ministry (MoF) has issued Letter No. 03-01-18/1989 on 23rd January 2015 describing the rules for definition of a company and its employees as related parties for transfer pricing determinations. The MoF considered that the meaning of
See MoreTurkey- Korea (Rep.) Free Trade Agreement Signed
A new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Turkey and Korea (Rep.) was signed on 26th February 2015. After the FTA enters into force and becomes effective this new agreement will replace the 2012 agreement that entered into force on 1st May
See MoreFinland-US FATCA Agreement Enters Into Force
Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Finland to Improve International Tax Compliance and to Implement FATCA entered into force on 20 February 2015. The agreement was signed on 05
See MoreHong Kong: Tax Measures Proposed in Budget 2015-2016
The Financial Secretary proposed a number of tax measures in his 2015-16 Budget speech on 25 February 2015. All of these measures require legislative amendments before implementation. Highlights of the measures are given below; Reducing profits tax,
See MoreSouth Africa: Proposal to ChangeTransfer Pricing Documentation and CFC Rules
The South African Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene proposed new transfer pricing documentation and reporting rules and proposed to revise controlled foreign company (CFC) rules relating to the digital economy, in his budget speech for 2015. The
See MoreSouth Africa: Tax Proposals In Budget 2015
South Africa has increased income tax rates for the first time in 20 years. The first increase since 1995, the move is likely to be unpopular with the public and businesses suffering from persistently lacklustre growth since the 2009
See MoreIMF/ TAXUD conference on Corporate Debt Bias: Economic Insights and Policy Options
The Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF and the Directorate General for the Taxation and Customs Union held a conference on 23 and 24 February 2015 to discuss the corporate debt bias. This arises from the rule in most tax systems that interest on
See MoreHong Kong-Vietnam: Protocol To Tax Treaty Enters Into Force
The second protocol to the double taxation agreement between Hong Kong and Vietnam has entered into force, a government spokesman said on 23 February 2015. The second protocol was signed in January last year. It came into force on January 8, 2015,
See MoreSouth Africa: Tax Free Savings Accounts from 1 March 2015
South Africa's National Treasury has published the final Notice and Regulations that allow for the introduction of tax-free savings and investment accounts (TFSAs) from the start of the next tax year on March 1, 2015. The main objective is
See MoreJapan: Tax Reform Legislation Introduced
The Japanese Government submitted legislation to Parliament on February 17 2015, including the planned corporate tax cuts. As the Prime Minister previously had previously promised growth strategies, the Government plans to reduce the country's
See MoreJapan- Qatar: Income Tax Treaty Signed
The Japan - Qatar Income Tax Treaty (2015) was signed on 20 February 2015 in Tokyo. Once in force and effective, the treaty will replace the Japan - Qatar Transport Tax Treaty (2009). Further details of the treaty will be reported
See MoreSingapore: Budget proposals for 2015
The Finance Minister of Singapore presented The Budget for 2015 to Parliament by on 23 February 2015. The proposals include measures regarding: Corporate taxation; Individual taxation; Goods and services tax; and Other taxes and measures. The
See MoreNigeria: Stock exchange rules regarding related-party transactions
The Nigerian Stock Exchange has issued rules for lending transactions with related parties or interested persons to guard against the risk that interested persons could influence an issuer, its affiliates or associated companies. One provision is
See MoreItaly and Luxembourg: Protocol to DTA
The Protocol to the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Italy and Luxembourg came into force on January 20,
See MoreSouth Africa & Barbados- The Tax Information Exchange Agreement Enters Into Force
The Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) between South Africa and Barbados has been approved by Parliament in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution; the date of entry into force is 19 January 2015. The agreement was signed on September
See MoreNigeria: Tax-free treatment period for pioneer certificates has been reduced
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) has reduced the available tax-free treatment period from 5 years to 3 years on the basis of the “Pioneer Status Incentive” program. It appears however that the NIPC is still issuing pioneer
See More