Canada: PM Mark Carney scraps GST for first-time homebuyers
Canada’s Prime Minister Carney announced on 20 March 2025 that the government will eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time homebuyers on homes at or under CAD 1 million. This tax cut will save Canadians up to CAD
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UN Tax Committee adopts major international tax reforms in 30th session
The UN Committee of Experts on International Tax Matters made key changes to global tax policies during its 30th session, which was held from 24 to 27 March 2025 in New York. About the Committee The Committee comprises 25 members, nominated by
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Iceland, Philippines start tax treaty negotiations
As of 26 March 2025, officials from Iceland and the Philippines recently convened to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation, focusing on initiating negotiations for an income tax treaty. Iceland's non-resident Ambassador to the
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Brazil: Chamber of Deputies approve pending protocol to tax treaty with Colombia
Brazil's Chamber of Deputies has passed Draft Legislative Decree No. 311/2024, which ratifies the pending income tax treaty with Colombia on 27 March 2025. The treaty has been presented to the Senate for final approval. Signed on 5 August
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Armenia Parliament endorses pending tax treaty with Hong Kong
Armenia’s parliament approved the ratification of an income tax treaty with Hong Kong on 26 March 2025. Signed on 24 June 2024, the Armenia – Hong Kong income tax treaty is the first between the two jurisdictions. To be ratified, the
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Hong Kong, Barbados end first round of tax treaty talks
The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) announced that the officials from Barbados and Hong Kong concluded the first round of negotiations for an income tax treaty on 28 March 2025. The agreement between Hong Kong and Barbados aims to
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US: Trump directs Treasury to issue tax refunds electronically
US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on 25 March 2025 to modernise the Department of Treasury’s payment systems. In the executive order “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” Trump instructed the
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Oman ratifies protocol amending tax treaty with India
Oman ratified the amending protocol to the India-Oman Income Tax Treaty (1997) on 27 March 2025 through Royal Decree No. 36/2025. Earlier, Oman and India signed an amending protocol to their existing tax treaty in Muscat, the announcement was
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Australia: ATO updates shortfall interest charges on overclaimed tax offsets
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released a notice on 27 March 2025 outlining updates to shortfall interest charges related to overclaimed tax offsets. The government announced extending shortfall interest charges to repayments of overclaimed
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Costa Rica plans new telecom tax rules
Costa Rica’s tax authority (DGT) published a draft resolution on 25 March 2025 with new regulations for filing and paying two taxes for telecommunications operators: the Spectrum Reserve Fee and the Special Parafiscal Contribution for FONATEL. The
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Costa Rica announces gradual cut in selective consumption tax
Costa Rica issued Executive Decree No. 44921-MH on 25 March 2025, introducing a gradual reduction of the selective consumption tax on goods previously classified as luxury items. Products categorised as luxury items include personal care items
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US: IRS report shows decline in APA executions and completion times in 2024
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Announcement 2025-13 - Announcement and Report Concerning Advance Pricing Agreements on 27 March 2025. The report outlines the experience, structure, and activities of the Advance Pricing and Mutual
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Taiwan: Ministry of Finance clarifies investment loss recognition rules for bankrupt businesses
Taiwan's Ministry of Finance has announced that profit-seeking enterprises can only recognise investment losses from bankrupt businesses once the court has ruled to terminate the bankruptcy proceedings, while the National Taxation Bureau of Taipei
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Switzerland updates MCAA-CbC participation list, adds Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Vietnam
The Swiss Official Gazette published Decision No. RO 2025 214 on 28 March 2025 which updates the list of countries participating in the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) for the exchange of country-by-country reports (CbCR). The
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New Zealand seeks public feedback on proposed fringe benefit tax changes
The Inland Revenue of New Zealand is inviting public feedback on proposed changes to the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) rules, aiming to simplify compliance and reduce costs for taxpayers, Revenue Minister Simon Watts has announced. This announcement
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Bulgaria adopts 2025 Budget Act with tax reforms
Bulgaria published its 2025 State Budget Act on 27 March 2025, introducing several key updates. The Act aligns the country’s Pillar 2 global minimum tax laws with OECD guidelines from 2023 and 2024, including rules on tax carryforwards,
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Sri Lanka enacts income tax reforms Act
The Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has released details of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 2 of 2025. Certified on 20 March 2025, the new tax regulations take effect from 1 April 2025. Key changes include: Higher tax-free
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OECD updates legislation record for Pillar 2 global minimum tax transition qualified status
The OECD has released an updated edition of the Central Record of Legislation with Transitional Qualified Status for the Pillar 2 global minimum tax as of 31 March 2025. The global minimum tax follows a rule order that limits applying minimum tax
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