Singapore: Research and Development tax incentives
From 2010 the economic policies of the government of Singapore have focused on reducing reliance on foreign workers and encouraging businesses to invest in improving productivity, skills, and innovation. However, recent information shows that
See MoreSaudi Arabia: Withholding tax update on freight and insurance on imported leased equipment
The Higher Appeal Committee ruled that freight and insurance paid on import of assets whether owned or leased should not constitute as Saudi source income. This ruling goes against the interpretation issued by the Department of Zakat and Income Tax
See MoreCyprus-Lithuania Double Tax Treaty Enters Into Force
The double tax treaty between Cyprus and Lithuania entered into force on 1 January 2015, which was signed on June 2013. Under the treaty the following withholding taxes will apply: Dividend: 0% if the recipient is the beneficial owner of at least
See MoreNigeria: Nonresident companies must file income tax return on real profits basis
The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) in Nigeria has issued a notice demanding all nonresident companies with a permanent establishment (PE) or fixed base (FB) to file tax returns on real basis. The new directive will be applicable to tax
See MoreNigeria-Qatar Income Tax Treaty initials
An Income Tax Treaty between Nigeria and Qatar has initialed on 11th February 2015. Further details of this treaty will be reported
See MoreUnited Arab Emirates and Poland: Income and Capital Tax treaty enters into force
The amending protocol of Income and Capital Tax Treaty between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Poland will be entered into force on 1st May 2015, which was signed on 11th December 2013. This protocol usually applies from 1st January 2016. The most
See MoreCzech Republic- Cook Islands Exchange of information agreement signs
The Tax Exchange of Information treaty (TIEA) between the Czech Republic and Cook Islands has signed on 4th February 2015 in Auckland. Further details of this treaty will be reported
See MoreKazakhstan ratifies DTA with Qatar
On 30 January 2015, the President of Kazakhstan ratified the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Qatar for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. Furthermore Kazakhstan’s lower house
See MorePakistan: Companies operating in Gwadar Free Zone to get 20-year tax holiday
The Pakistan government plans to provide a 20-year tax holiday to companies that want to establish their business in Gwadar Port's Free Zone. The government has also decided to exempt from customs duties, machinery, equipment and other
See MoreSouth Africa and India: Protocol to treaty enter into force
The amending protocol for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income between India and South Africa enters into force entered into force on 26 November 2014. The protocol generally applies
See MoreItaly and Mexico: Ratification of the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA)
Italy has ratified the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) on December 29, 2014 with
See MorePakistan: Government states withholding tax rate for non-filers on registration of immovable property
The government announced on 14 January 2015, through Notification No. 30(I)/2015 that any non-filer (i.e. a taxpayer whose name does not appear on the active taxpayers list issued by the Federal Board of Revenue or who is not a holder of a
See MoreUS: Legislation to protect taxpayers from inappropriate use of Civil Forfeiture Laws
US congress has passed a bill to protect taxpayers from the inappropriate use of civil forfeiture laws. The bill would allow an affected person to request a court to hold a "probable cause" hearing within fourteen days of receiving a notice of a
See MoreColombia and Portugal: DTA enters into force
On 30 January 2015, the DTA between Colombia and Portugal entered into force and it will applicable from first January 2016 for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on
See MoreQatar and Morocco: Chamber approved the new DTA
The Moroccan Chamber of Counselors approved the new DTA with Qatar for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, on 21 January 2015. Once in force and effective, the new treaty will
See MoreQatar and Benin: Initialed DTA
Qatar and Benin initialed a DTA for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income on 26 January 2015. Furthermore, Qatar has concluded more than 50 tax
See MoreBrazil: Tax Rules Revised
The Ministry of Finance released Ordinance No. 488/14 reducing the maximum income tax rate for categorization of a tax regime as a privileged tax regime from 20% to 17%. This tax rate was effective from November 2014. Accordance to the Ordinance,
See MoreDTA between Belgium and the Czech Republic enters into force
The protocol amending the DTA between Belgium and Czech Republic for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income entered into force on January 13, 2015 and will be effective from first
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