Japan and the European Union Plan FTA By 2015
Japan and the EU are to conduct a one year review with the intention of concluding a free trade agreement. This proposed FTA will be an important part of plans to strengthen the economic relationship between the EU and Japan. The FTA is to deal with
See MoreGuernsey signs a TIEA with Belgium
On May 7, 2014 Guernsey signed a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with Belgium. The agreement had already been approved by Belgium and signed on April 24, 2014. Agreements on the exchange of tax information allow the tax authorities of both
See MoreDTA between New Zealand and Vietnam enters into force
A new double tax agreement (DTA) has been signed by New Zealand and Vietnam. The agreement which came into force on May 7, 2014 is part of a plan to increase the trade between the two countries. The agreement is designed to encourage cross-border
See MoreUS May Close Door on Russian FATCA IGA Talks
Talks with Russia on an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) in connection with the FATCA legislation have been suspended by the US. The aim of the agreement if reached would be to enable foreign financial institutions (FFIs) in Russia to comply with
See MoreOman – Spain DTA
Oman and Spain signed a double taxation agreement (DTA) on April 30, 2014. No further details of this agreement are currently
See MoreNetherlands Agrees to Amend the Russian DTA
The Netherlands are to begin negotiations with Russia to amend the double taxation agreement (DTA) concluded in 1996, with a first round of negotiations expected to be held in June 2014. Russia has asked for a revision to the agreement to bring it
See MoreIsrael and US Reach FATCA Agreement
Israel and the US have agreed on the wording of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that will enable the provisions of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) to be carried out in Israel. The FATCA takes effect from 1 July 2014 and from
See MoreIreland – Belgium DTA
Ireland and Belgium signed a Protocol to amend their double taxation agreement (DTA) on April 14, 2014. The new Protocol updates the Article of the treaty in respect of the exchange of tax information, strengthening the measures for information
See MoreBelgium ratified the DTA with Bahrain
On April 28, 2014, Belgium ratified the double taxation agreement (DTA) and Protocol signed with Bahrain. No further details of the agreement or Protocol are currently
See MoreSweden – Intergovernmental agreement under FATCA
The US and Sweden have reached substantial agreement on the content of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) in relation to the US FATCA regulations. The aim of such agreements is to allow the relevant information required by FATCA to be exchange
See MoreEU – UK challenge to financial transaction tax rejected
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has rejected a legal action by the UK challenging the legality of the EU Council’s decision to authorize the plan for a financial transaction tax (FTT) through the mechanism of enhanced cooperation
See MoreSingaporean DTA with Barbados in Force
The double taxation agreement (DTA) concluded between Singapore and Barbados came into force on April 25, 2014. The agreement which was originally signed in July 2013 provides for a nil withholding tax rate on dividends, a 12 percent withholding
See MoreFATCA agreement between Australia and United States signed
Australia and the United States signed an agreement relating to US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) on 28 April 2014. These intergovernmental agreements are being concluded by the US in connection with the implementation of the FATCA in
See MoreExchange of information agreement between Belgium and Cayman Islands
An Exchange of Information Agreement (2014) was signed between Belgium and Cayman Islands on 28 April 2014. This agreement will facilitate the exchange of tax information and thereby help to ensure that it is more difficult for taxpayers to evade
See MoreUkraine: Tax cut on medical supplies
Ukraine’s Cabinet has asked parliament to approve a bill to reduce tax rates in respect of medicines and medical products, and to approve a visa-free procedure with the European Union. The Ukraine government is looking to introduce changes to the
See MoreTreaty between Argentina and Mexico under negotiations
An initial round of negotiations for a double tax treaty between Argentina and Mexico is to take place from 21 to 25 April
See MoreSwitzerland: Consults on revised rules for expats
Switzerland is planning changes to the tax deductions to which expatriates are entitled, as a result of recommendations by a working group set up for the purpose. A revision to the legislation would involve changing the definition of an expatriate
See MoreSwitzerland: Expands professional training tax breaks
In Switzerland a federal law in relation to tax deductions for professional development and training costs is to take effect from 1 January 2016. The rules will widen the current tax deduction to encompass virtually all training fees rather than
See More