WTO: International Trade Cooperation to Strengthen Preparation for Future Pandemics
On 3 June 2022 the World Bank and the WTO launched a document entitled: Trade Therapy: Deepening Cooperation to Strengthen Pandemic Defenses. The publication notes that trade has an important role to play in the response to health crises such as
See MoreWTO: Trade Policy Review of New Zealand
On 1 and 3 June 2022 the WTO is carrying out a trade policy review of New Zealand. A report has been issued by the WTO Secretariat as a basis for the review. The report notes that New Zealand considers trade as very important for its prosperity.
See MoreEU: European Commission Proposes Tax Allowance for Equity
On 11 May 2022 the European Commission put forward proposals for a tax allowance that would reduce the current tax advantage for debt over equity. This allowance would be designed to encourage businesses to access more equity financing and reduce
See MoreUK: Research on Awareness of Pension Tax Relief
In 2015 HMRC commissioned a research agency to conduct independent research on pension tax relief, exploring awareness and understanding of the pension tax system in the UK. The research included discussion groups with individuals; interviews with
See MoreUK: Summary of Responses to Consultation on Corporate Re-domiciliation
On 12 April 2022 the UK government published a summary of the responses to the consultation on corporate re-domiciliation. The UK aims to introduce a regime to enable companies to move their domicile to, and relocated to, the UK.
See MoreWTO: Trade Review of UAE
From 22 to 24 March 2022 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) conducted a review of the trade policies and practices of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a basis for the review, a report was prepared by the WTO Secretariat. The UAE’s economy
See MoreOECD: Public Consultation on Tax Transparency Framework for Crypto-Assets
On 22 March 2022 the OECD published a consultation document in relation to a global tax transparency framework for reporting crypto-assets and proposed changes to the common reporting framework for automatic exchange of financial account
See MoreIMF: New Database on Special Purpose Entities
On 2 March 2022 the IMF announced the release of a new database on special purpose entities (SPEs) showing cross-border flows and positions of SPEs and based on an internationally agreed definition of SPEs. The release of the database follows
See MoreOECD: Building an Investment Tax Incentives Database
On 24 February 2022 the OECD published a working paper entitled Building an Investment Tax Incentives Database. Countries use tax incentives to attract investment, but if tax incentives are poorly designed, they may be of limited effectiveness.
See MoreIMF report looks at tax reforms in Morocco
On 9 February 2022 the IMF published a report following discussions with Morocco under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of association. After contracting in 2020, the economy is estimated to have grown by 6.3% in 2021. GDP growth is projected
See MoreNew Zealand: OECD Economic Survey for 2022 Recommends Tax Adjustments
On 31 January 2022 the OECD published the New Zealand Economic Survey 2022. The report notes that more consolidation measures are necessary to stabilise the fiscal position, and emphasises the need to increase productivity, increase the housing
See MoreVietnam proposes incentive package for 2022
On 4 January 2022, the Government has proposed a package on reduction and exemption of tax and land use fees worth VND 64 trillion (US$2.81 billion) for 2022 with an aim to facilitate post-pandemic recovery and socio-economic development in 2022 and
See MoreUK: Statistics on Venture Capital Trusts
On 21 January 2022 the UK released statistics on Venture Capital Trust (VCT) tax relief for the year 2020/2021. The annual statistics on VCT tax relief help the UK government to monitor the cost and effectiveness of the tax relief, which may be
See MoreSlovak Republic: OECD considers reforms to strengthen the recovery and future growth
On 13 January 2022 the latest OECD Economic Survey of the Slovak Republic was issued. The report notes that Slovakia’s recovery plan, supported by the EU, can give a boost to the economic recovery and growth, although there are downside
See MoreOECD: Measuring Tax Support for R&D and Innovation
On 9 December 2021 the OECD published the latest research and development (R&D) tax incentives database report. This was accompanied by the 2021 update of the R&D Tax Incentives database and a series of R&D tax incentive country
See MoreIMF Report on India’s Economy
An IMF country focus on 12 November 2021 indicates that India’s economy is preparing to rebound following the setbacks inflicted by the second wave of Covid-19 infections. India’s substantial policy responses to the pandemic, with economic
See MoreUK: New Tax Regime for Asset Holding Companies
The UK budget announcements on 27 October 2021 proposed that legislation would be included in the Finance Bill 2021/22 to set up a new tax regime for qualifying asset holding companies (QAHCs). This change is part of a broader review of the UK
See MoreUN: Tax Committee Discusses Interaction of Investment Agreements and Tax
In its meetings from 19 to 28 October 2021 the UN Committee has covered, among other issues, the interaction of tax, trade and investment agreements. A Note on the Interaction of Tax Trade and Investment Agreements was prepared by the UNDESA
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