Hungary: Increased financial transactions and mining tax rates
The Hungarian Parliament passed legislation in late June 2013. The legislation is planned to increase the tax collections and other supports so that the government could meet its target for a balanced national budget. According to the legislation a
See MoreHong Kong: SAR allows to enter into independent tax information exchange agreements
The Legislative Council of Hong Kong SAR passed the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2013 on 10 July 2013. The Bill allows Hong Kong to enter into tax information exchange agreements (TIEAs). There is an increasing emphasis by the OECD and other
See MoreFrance Considers Imposing a Surtax On Luxury Hotels
France is currently considering the idea of introducing a tax on luxury hotels. A committee considering the issue has suggested that a tax of between 2% and 6% could be imposed on hotel rooms to fund activities for young people. The proposals are
See MoreEU: Applications for customs duty relief
For enterprises which want to claim relief from customs duty regarding imports of specific goods into the European Union (EU), the following due date for filing applications is 31 July 2013. This relief from import duty normally applies to imported
See MoreECJ: European Commission refers the matter of cross-border loss relief for UK groups
The European Commission has requested the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to determine that the conditions imposed by the UK tax rules on cross-border group relief mean that in practice it is almost impossible for companies to receive this loss
See MoreECJ: Decision in the Ocean Finance case
The case of Paul Newey (trading as Ocean Finance) concerned a UK loan broker arranging loans between lenders and borrowers within the UK. Mr. Newey set up a Jersey company called Alabaster (CI) Ltd and gave this company the right to use the trading
See MoreChina: Selecting the appropriate transfer pricing method in the automotive sector
China’s State Administration of Taxation (SAT) takes the view that locally-based automotive enterprises that are apparently carrying out activities with limited function and risk are in fact performing valuable marketing efforts in China. The tax
See MoreChina: Draft revisions to the tax collection and administration law
China’s Tax Collection and Administration (Law) which is the basic procedural law governs China’s tax administrative matters. It became effective from 1 January 1993. The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council announced the
See MoreCanada: Extended CIT return deadline
Businesses in parts of Canada including Alberta have recently been affected by extreme weather conditions. This has caused damage to premises and delays in completing administrative tasks. In response to this problem the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
See MoreAzerbaijan: Tax authority joins the Executive Board of IOTA
The Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan has become a member of the Executive Board of the “Intra-European Organization of Tax Administrations” (IOTA). This was announced at the 17th General Assembly of IOTA. The Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan is
See MoreVietnam: Amendments to Corporate Income Tax Law
The general tax rate in Vietnam will be reduced to 22% from 1 January 2014. Also from 1 January 2016 the tax rate will be 20%. This measure was approved by the National Assembly on 19 June 2013. The reduced tax rates are competitive with the
See MoreUN: Economic and Social Council to consider Manual on Transfer Pricing
A substantive session of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations is taking place in Geneva from 1 to 26 July 2013. A draft resolution tabled for the meeting the Economic and Social Council notes the work of the Committee of Experts on
See MoreUK: Review of bank levy
When the introduction of the UK bank levy was announced in the 2010 budget it was also announced that there would be a review in 2013 to ensure that the levy was operating efficiently. On 4 July 2013 the UK published a consultation document on the
See MoreTreaty between Liechtenstein and Singapore signed
Singapore and Liechtenstein signed an Income Tax Treaty on 27 June 2013. The treaty will come into force after the two countries exchange ratification instruments. The provisions of the treaty will have effect from 1 January of the calendar year
See MoreTreaty between Kuwait and Slovenia enters into force
The Income and Capital Tax Treaty between Kuwait and Slovenia entered into force on 17 May 2013. The treaty generally applies from 1 January 2014. Under the Treaty, the definition of a permanent establishment includes a situation where substantial
See MoreTreaty between Japan and Portugal enters into force
The governments of Japan and the Portuguese Republic signed an income tax treaty in December 2011. The mutual notifications of the completion of the necessary domestic procedures were completed on 28th June 2013 and in accordance with Article 28 of
See MoreTaiwan: Change to tax on gains from share transfer
Taiwan government passed the amendment to the Income Tax Act on 25 July 2013 about the taxation of gains arising from share transfers by individuals. Under this modification, no income tax will be obligatory on gains from share transfers even if the
See MoreSwitzerland: Retain flat tax for foreigners
Switzerland’s Federal Council accepted a resolution rejecting the Swiss people’s initiative calling for an end to the flat tax regime currently benefiting wealthy foreigners in the Confederation on 1 July 2013. Switzerland’s flat tax regime is
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